– You can actually be happy that you don’t know what you will encounter on the road when you are out driving. In the summer of 2020, Rune Pettersen experienced every truck driver’s worst nightmare. He was at work, driving his usual route between Mo i Rana and Brønnøysund. A car traveling in the opposite direction suddenly veers into Pettersen’s lane. Pettersen tries to give clear signals to the man behind the wheel of the car. At the same time, he brakes for full engine. The truck was completely stationary on the right stretch of road. – Then he drove into my front. This is what the front of Rune Pettersen’s truck looked like shortly after the accident. Photo: Rune Pettersen / Privat Get away physically Pettersen first thought that the driver in the car felt ill or fell asleep behind the wheel. Later, the police concluded that the driver took his own life. – It is clear that there were many thoughts that went through my head then. If there was anything I could do to save the man’s life. The truck was not drivable after the collision, but Pettersen came away physically unharmed. Mentally it was different. – Outwardly, I probably expressed that this was going well. But it’s clear that the mind wandered, says Pettersen. 7 per cent There is no complete overview of the number of suicide accidents on Norwegian roads. In a survey the Swedish Transport Association sent out to its members earlier this year, news had the opportunity to ask the following questions: Have you been involved in an accident where you suspect that another involved party has taken – or attempted to take – their own life? 440 truck drivers answered the question. 7 percent answered “yes”. This means that 29 of the drivers who responded to the survey have been involved in a suspected suicide accident. In comparison, only 3 percent of bus drivers answered the same. Need someone to talk to? If you need someone to talk to, you can use one of these low-threshold services: Church SOS: Call 22 40 00 40, or write to soschat.no or meldinger.kirkens-sos.no The Red Cross’s service Cross on the neck is for you under 18 years. Telephone: 800 333 21. Write or chat on the website korspaahalsen.rodekors.no Mental Health Helpline: Call 116 123 or write to sidetmedord.no Parental support: Call 116 123 (key 2) Student telephone: Call 116 123 (key 3) Mental Health Youth . Aimed at young adults aged 18-35. Online chat service Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 17.00-20.00: www.mhu.no. The emergency telephone for children and young people. A free phone for children and young people who are exposed to violence, abuse and neglect. Telephone 116 111. Acute risk of suicide? Call 113 when it is urgent and your life is at stake. Call the emergency room on tel. 116117 for immediate assistance. You can also talk to your GP. Several people quit their jobs – I think it is very close to reality, says Jan Arne Laberget. He is a lorry driver and elected manager in the logistics department of the Norwegian Trade Union Confederation. Laberget has spoken to the families of eleven drivers from all over the country who have been involved in suicide accidents. Four of the drivers have chosen to quit their jobs following the accidents, says Laberget. – They couldn’t sit and drive a truck anymore. It’s simply psychological. They felt that the oncoming cars were entering their lane. Jan Arne Laberget, head of the Norwegian Transport Association for Logistics. Photo: Per Christian Lind / Yrkestrafikkforbundet No overview found The Swedish Road Administration estimates that 7 percent of the fatal accidents they have analyzed between 2012 and 2021 may have been suicide accidents. But the dark figures can be large. Suicide accidents are not considered fatal accidents, even if a person loses their life. If the police conclude that suicide is the cause, the accidents are removed from all public statistics. Then the accident analysis group of the National Road Administration is not connected to analyze the accidents either. This means that the Swedish Road Administration’s estimate of 7 per cent only includes accidents where the police have not concluded suicide as the cause. However, a survey conducted by news in 2015 for the period 2005–2014 showed that 182 deaths in traffic may have been suicide accidents: – All reactions are normal In the mid-1990s, the Norwegian Lorry Owners’ Association (NLF) established Collegahjelpen. The aim of the support scheme is to ensure that drivers who have been involved in serious accidents are followed up afterwards. – All reactions are normal when you have been exposed to such an accident, says Steinar Enderød. He has been a colleague helper since the start. – All the nice feedback we get is a bright spot, says Steinar Enderød. He has been involved in colleague help since the start of the support scheme in 1995. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news The first accident Enderød responded to was a suicide accident in which an acquaintance was behind the wheel of the lorry. Since that accident, he has assisted a number of drivers in the Østfold area. He believes the best medicine is to talk about the accident they have been exposed to. In addition, he advises drivers to get back on the road quickly. Preferably with a colleague helper by his side. – It is very good that the driver is not alone. We can help create a slightly softer atmosphere. Back after three days The psychologist Rune Pettersen was in contact with after the accident asked him to be open about what he had experienced. – At least it has helped me to process it. I have talked about it a lot. Rune Pettersen hopes his openness can help prevent similar accidents. Photo: Rune Pettersen / Private Three days after the accident, he was back on the same stretch. Two and a half years later, he still passes the accident spot on a daily basis. Finding a new job was never an option. The interest in cars and motorbikes is too great for that. – The first thing I do when I’m on holiday is hook up the caravan and get in the car to drive. I really enjoy driving. Whether it is big or small is not so important. As long as I can drive, I’m at my best. Hi! Did you think of anything when you read this case, or do you have a tip for something else we should look into? Feel free to send me an email!
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No overview of suicides on Norwegian roads – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
