Eirik Rian Frengstad (18) is one of several who attempted to drive last week, in driving snow and on very slippery roads. In advance, he had seen the media reporting just that, real winter weather – and with an invitation to leave the car parked. But canceling the run-up was never an option. – I haven’t driven that much in snow and rain before the run-up, says Fengstad. Eirik Frengstad ready for the drive-up at Støyten Traffic School Center at Hønefoss. Photo: Privat There is no such thing as bad weather (only almost) Cars in the ditch, overturned buses and tow trucks that are saved by other tow trucks. It has been demanding to be a driver in recent weeks. Snowfall. Wind. Sudden plus degrees and streets that think they are rivers. Then it’s on again with low pressure, sub-zero temperatures and subsequent ice rinks on the road sections. Difficult conditions also in Heddal. This driver experienced that on Tuesday morning. Several cars drove out at Heddal. Sleet and snow on E39 in Søgne. E18 in Vestfold on Tuesday morning. When road becomes water. Traffic teacher Jarle Hoddevik at Støyten Traffic School Center in Hønefoss says that they do not take breaks from driving lessons, even if the weather is challenging. – As long as the National Road Administration is open, we deliver our customers for driving tests. We had three yesterday and one today. All four passed, notes a satisfied Hoddevik. Traffic teacher Jarle Hoddevik sees no problem with sending 18-year-olds out on the road when the conditions are demanding: – We are trying to turn this into something positive. Photo: PRIVATE When the police ask people to leave their cars, is it justifiable to send inexperienced 18-year-olds out on the road? – The frequency of injuries on driving tests is vanishingly low throughout the year. We have no problem sending our 18-year-olds up to their driving test even if the weather is bad, replies the traffic teacher. However, the decision as to whether it is safe to conduct a driving lesson or drive when the weather is bad does not lie with the individual driving school. – It is a matter between the candidate and the Norwegian Road Administration, says Hoddevik. It will be fun when it freezes again… Photo: Adyan Khokhar / news To drive or not to drive in extreme weather? Axel Resch Johnsen is office manager at the Norwegian Road Administration, including at Hønefoss traffic station where he is head of the sensors. He is on a par with traffic teacher Hoddevik. Axel Resch Jensen at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Photo: Statens vegvesen – The idea is that the candidates should have both thorough training and extensive training, preferably over a two-year period. Then we believe that they should have the knowledge and skills they need to drive independently, also in demanding driving conditions. He says it takes “quite a bit more” for them to cancel or move a class due to the weather. – There will be an ongoing assessment on days of extreme weather. If, for example, the safety of the examiner or candidate is compromised, the class will be canceled or moved. Another reason could be if they do not get a valid appointment. – This means that we have to measure what we need. It is an exam. If the weather or something else does not allow it, the class is postponed. World-class driving training In the old days, children were thrown into the sea and thought they learned to swim that way. The comparison with the young drivers is not entirely plausible, although one might think that they too are just “thrown into it”. At least when the drive-up time falls on a really stormy day. – If they are at driving test level, then they are at driving test level, says Hoddevik. Johnsen adds: – The training assumes that the candidate must have experienced a season or two with winter weather and other demanding conditions. – How good is driving education in Norway? – It is good. Both the statistics and the quality of the candidates indicate that we are at the top of the world, replies Johnsen. Nevertheless. If the candidate does not venture out onto the ice, what about the fee? – If the Swedish Road Administration postpones the driving test, then the fee is included. You will get that for the next driving test, reassures Johnsen. Proud and fresh driver Back to our driver candidate, Eirik Frengstad. Did he pass? – Yes! I drove well and it went brilliantly. Delicious! I’ve driven quite a lot before, not in this kind of weather, but I’m quite confident in driving, he says proudly, adding that he had some butterflies fluttering in his stomach. – Of course I was a bit scared because of the bad road conditions, but it went incredibly well. Took it in stride, concludes Frengstad. Eirik Frengstad can rightly and proudly call himself a driver. Photo: Private
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Driving up in snow and rain: – I was a little nervous!
