The case in summary Lorry driver Thomas Friedrich is calling for more drug checks on Norwegian roads. Recently, a driver was stopped on the E18 after erratic driving. The driver blew over the legal value and was suspected of using drugs. He lost his job and his driver’s license was confiscated. The emergency police checked 30,000 drivers of heavy vehicles for intoxication in 2023, of which 90 drivers were reported for drunken driving. So far this year, 62 drivers have been notified. According to assistant chief Roar Skjelbred Larsen in the Emergency Police, there is mainly little intoxication on Norwegian roads compared to other countries. Regional manager Roy N. Wetterstad of the Norwegian Truck Owners’ Association emphasizes the importance of preventing intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and states that several companies have alcohol locks. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Several drivers reacted when a semi-trailer was close to hitting other motorists, and among other things snowed a tunnel opening, on the way south from Oslo last Monday. The police stopped the driver in Holmestrand. They reported that the man in his 30s blew far above the legal alcohol limit. In addition, he is suspected of drug use. His driver’s license was revoked on the spot. – A danger to everyone in the vicinity – They can weigh 50 tonnes, there are enormous forces at work. So it is clear that if it hits something, it represents a danger to everyone nearby, says Roy N. Wetterstad. Regional manager Roy N. Wetterstad of the Norwegian Truck Owners’ Association in Vestfold, Telemark and Buskerud believes that more blood alcohol checks and breathalyzers can help stop drivers who are intoxicated, but that the attitude of the individual is most important. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news He is regional manager of the Norwegian Truck Owners Association in Vestfold, Telemark and Buskerud. Wetterstad has seen the video a tipster filmed of the truck on the E18. – It is, of course, completely unacceptable. This should not happen in traffic, he says. Wants more drug tests Truck driver Thomas Friedrich from Dokka has driven heavy transport for many years in Norway. He also reacts to the driving in the video. Friedrich believes there is a need for more blood alcohol checks. Lorry driver Thomas Friedrich says he has sometimes seen erratic driving, but does not know whether it is due to intoxication or that drivers are on their mobile phones. Photo: Helena Rønning / news – In 15 years I have been stopped once in an alcohol control. It’s far too small, he says while taking a break along the E18 in Stokke in Vestfold. He himself states that he does not drink alcohol, and he cannot understand how people can get behind the wheel with alcohol in their blood. He believes breathalyzers can also be a measure to weed out drunken drivers. The lock is required in the transport of people in buses and minibuses, but not in lorries. UP stopped 30,000: 90 reported The emergency police agree with the truck driver that they could have had more checks. – With the checks we have, we manage to uncover a good proportion. But it is always the case that we should have had more checks, says UP assistant manager Roar Skjelbred Larsen. Photo: Helena Rønning / news The emergency police checked 30,000 drivers of heavy vehicles for intoxication in 2023. This also includes bus drivers. 90 drivers were reported for drink driving. So far in 2024, 62 drivers have been notified. Larsen emphasizes that, compared to other countries, there is little intoxication on Norwegian roads. Has smelled marijuana Driver Friedrich says he has also smelled marijuana from places trucks can park for the day. That does not surprise the Emergency Police. – After a long life in the police, it doesn’t surprise me what people do in their spare time. We see that when we arrest heavy vehicle drivers, we also arrest them for intoxicants other than alcohol, says Larsen. What do you think is the best way to stop drunk driving? More drug tests More widespread use of breathalyzers A change in attitude Something else Show results – It probably reflects what is going on elsewhere in society, adds the UP boss. According to him, around half of those reported for drink driving are foreign drivers. Investigating the case That was also the case for the lorry driver who drove drunk last week. The company he worked for thought the case was a tragic personnel matter, and the man lost his job. The police are not saying much about the case at this time, except that they are investigating it as drunken driving. – We await the analysis results of the blood samples that have been taken, says police chief constable Hilde Loftesnes in the South-East police district. Attitude most important According to Wetterstad in the Norwegian Lorry Owners’ Association, lorry drivers during training are tried to make them aware of how much responsibility they have in large lorry trains. – It is clear that you can have more frequent checks, he says. – But the most important thing, I think, is to continue working on the attitudinal aspect here. So that you avoid these drivers coming onto the road at all, emphasizes Wetterstad. According to him, the industry is concerned with preventing intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel. He says more and more companies are installing alcolocks, and that in that way they emphasize the holding of alcohol towards their employees. Published 08.10.2024, at 20.30 Updated 08.10.2024, at 20.33
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Truck driver wants breathalyzer lock and more drug tests – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
