Immigrants have
more accidents
Studies by the Institute of Transport Economics (TOEI)show that non-western immigrants to Norway have a higher rate of automobile accidents than drivers born in Norway or Western Europe.
The studies show that men from the Middle East and Africa are twice as likely to have automobile accidents compared to their counterparts in Western Europe and Norway.
"Immigrants are used to a different driving culture," says Susanne Nordbakke, Project Leader with the Institute of Transport Economics (TOEI). "People naturally bring with them a part of their driving habits from their home country. Different countries have different views on traffic safety, both in driving education and the rules of the road."
Women from the same regions are also more liable to have accidents than women born in Norway.
The studies from TOEI agree with corresponding results found in Sweden, but also show that a driver’s knowledge and behaviour change over time, meaning that immigrants who have been driving for quite some time in Norway are less liable to have accidents than those who have recently arrived.
The Directorate of Public Roads has studied other groups in addition to immigrants. Motorcyclists, younger drivers, older drivers, and those who drive without seatbelts are also being studied. "We are initiating measures to deal with these groups," explained Finn Harald Amundsen, Leader of the Traffic Security Department at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen).
The Directorate is focusing on the following themes toward the immigrant group:
- Increased oversight of traffic control
- Offering driving tests in other languages
- Working closer with driving schools
Courtsey of Norway Post and NRK
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