– There is a societal problem with drunk driving that we want to reduce as much as possible, says transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård (Ap). Today, only the police have had the opportunity to check whether drivers are under the influence of drugs. But now the Storting has decided that the customs officers can also do this. This means that the country’s 31 customs offices will be equipped with blood alcohol tests. – It will be a legal basis for them to be able to check for drugs and detect drink-driving when they nevertheless check cars, says Nygård. The customs authority will not take over the police’s duties, but will have the opportunity to carry out testing during the ordinary checks. Customs officers suspect drug-impaired drivers – This is something we have wanted and asked for for a long time, says union leader Karin Tanderø Schaug of the Norwegian Customs Union. She says that it happens that the customs officers suspect that drivers are under the influence of drugs and thinks it is positive that they can now do something about it. Leader of the Norwegian Customs Union, Karin Tanderø Schaug, is very positive about the new decision. Photo: news – We hear about it from the border crossings in the north, at Svinesund and on the quay in Oslo. Customs officers observe trailer drivers or travelers in ordinary passenger cars who obviously look drunk, she says. Until now and until the change in the law comes into force, the Norwegian Customs Service must wait for the police before they can carry out a breathalyzer test. – It takes time to wait for the police. Some have then chosen to perhaps drive on and not deal with the fact that we wanted to keep them. Can detain drivers by force But now the Customs Agency will also be given the authority to detain a driver by force, if the driver tries to evade testing. In the new legal text, it is stated that “the use of force must be necessary and proportionate to the seriousness of the situation, the purpose of the act of service and the circumstances in general”. – It can also be preventive for the travelers that they can be tested for alcohol already when they meet us, says Schaug of the Norwegian Customs Union. The customs officials at Svinesund will soon be able to check whether drivers are under the influence of drugs. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB If a blood alcohol test is positive, the Customs Agency must notify the police immediately. – It is primarily a safety aspect which is incredibly important, and it is an important preventive measure, she says. – We have missed this. We are in the first line at the borders both by road and by boat. Can open to take more drunk drivers The proposal was unanimously adopted on Tuesday. – There is an obvious opportunity to be able to increase control and to be able to expose a few more drunk drivers in traffic, says the Minister of Transport. Even if the law is passed, the customs officers will not be equipped with blood alcohol tests for the first time. It will only come into force after it is sanctioned by the King in Council. – But it is an important milestone that we have received approval for the first reading of the law, says Nygård. The Ministry of Transport proposed the changes to the Road Traffic Act in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness.
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