In the last three weeks of December alone, the insurance company Fremtind had more than 5,000 car claims reported, which in turn triggered a compensation sum of NOK 140 million. The year before, there were 3,400 reported car injuries in the same period. – It is far too much, says Therese Hofstad-Nielsen firmly. She is an injury preventer at Fremtind, which was able to record a total of 73,000 car damages from its customers during last year. The insurance companies experience many accidents on the road this winter. Here from an accident on the E18 near Porsgrunn recently. Photo: Stian Wåsjø Simonsen / news A bit of good news in an otherwise sad statistic is that Friday the 13th has actually become a day many seem to take it easy. On average, there are 5–10 percent fewer injuries compared to “normal” Fridays. – It may indicate that we are taking things a little more calmly this particular day, she says. Get less practice in winter driving Hofstad-Nielsen believes that shorter winters, especially in Eastern Norway, may be an important reason why the number of accidents increases. – It could probably have something to do with the fact that we get less practice driving on winter roads. At the same time, there is a lot of freezing rain and unpredictable weather, she believes. Therese Hofstad-Nielsen, loss prevention officer at Fremtind forsikring. Photo: Framtind forsikring The most common causes of accidents are collisions from behind. – There are many minor injuries. We run into each other from behind, back up into things, and it’s probably often a bit too cramped in the car park, says Hofstad-Nielsen. The insurance company IF is also busy during the day. – We have had an increase of around 20 per cent. Many of the injuries involve roadside assistance, says Sigmund Clementz. He is the company’s communications manager. Busy days At E18 Skadesenter at Sem in Vestfold, they notice the development well. – It flows in with people who have been unlucky, confirms general manager Bjørn Thomas Karlsen. Bjørn Thomas Karlsen, general manager at E18 car accident. Photo: Magnus Skatvedt Iversen / news The cars come in with everything from small scratches to major body damage. Many of the vehicles are not drivable at all, and are delivered with a tow truck. – Some have only come across a plowing edge, while others have again slipped off the road. Then there is probably quite a bit more to tackle, he says. The workshop is already fully booked until the summer. – It will be busy, states Karlsen. – Not everyone is fit Oddmund Roberg from Tønsberg is one of many who took the chance to drive a car on Friday the 13th. Oddmund Roberg, motorist. Photo: Magnus Skatvedt Iversen / news He is not particularly concerned that it is the day of the famous accident, but the former truck driver is not particularly surprised that the car is dented several times. – There are probably many who are not quite fit, he believes. – Even if it doesn’t look so smooth, there can be smooth spots. He himself has driven more or less without injury during his 60 years on the road, but feels that much has changed. – I was probably a bit lucky that I didn’t have a mobile phone when I was driving a truck. Then I was just myself all the time, without calls and fuss. Earlier this winter, news participated and drove a car on the smooth road.
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Large increase in car damage, but fewer dents on Friday the 13th – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
