NAF, the Norwegian Truck Owners’ Association and the FRP are critical of the government’s proposal to increase the rates on traffic fines again. In February this year, fine rates for violations of the Road Traffic Act increased by 30 per cent. At the time, there was widespread criticism of the new rates. Also in 2022, the fines increased. This time, the government will increase the rates to keep up with the rise in prices. – We believe that this increase proposed by governments comes far too soon, says press manager of the Norwegian Automotive Association (NAF), Ingunn Handagard. Press manager at NAF, Ingunn Handgard. She disagrees with the government’s proposal to increase the rates. Photo: NAF She believes that excessive fines go against people’s sense of justice. She points out that we are in an expensive time and that the fines are already at a high level. Over NOK 10,000 for mobile use With the new rates, the fine will be NOK 1,150 if you drive 5 km/h too fast when the speed limit is 60 km/h. If you drive 25 km/h too fast in the 60 zone, the proposal is that you will be fined NOK 12,700. And if you use a hand-held mobile phone in a car, it will cost you NOK 10,200. It is an increase of NOK 500 as the rate is today. Example of increased rates Use of a mobile phone: NOK 10,200 Violation of the right of way: NOK 10,200 Running a red light: NOK 10,200 Violation of a prohibition sign: NOK 8,200 Driving in a 61 km/h 50 zone: NOK 5,650 Agreed to the proposal – We agree to the proposal about an increase in existing fine rates, says Øyvind Årbogen, senior advisor at the Norwegian Association of Driving Schools. Øyvind Årbogen is a senior adviser at the Norwegian Traffic School Association. He believes that increased fines will contribute to fewer people being seriously injured and killed. – The fine rates must have an effect on those who are out driving. Then there must be some form of severe punishment for those who do not obey the Road Traffic Act. – No clear connection Handagard in NAF disagrees. She questions whether even higher fines will have an effect on the number of offenses or whether traffic safety will increase. – Research from the Institute of Transport Economics says that there is no clear connection between constantly increased fines and traffic violations, says the press manager at NAF. She reminds us that we now have another year with high numbers of traffic fatalities. – If higher fines do not affect the number of violations of the law, there is an increasing need to bring in money for the treasury rather than traffic safety measures. Lack of foundation In common with NAF, the Norwegian Truck Owners’ Association is also against a new increase. Deputy managing director Jan-Terje Mentzoni says there was no justification for the strong increase last time if it was necessary to maintain a preventive effect. At the time, they lacked analyzes that could possibly underpin the proposal. – Such analyzes do not exist now either. We therefore ask once again that professional assessments and justifications for raising the rates must be presented. Until then, we don’t think they should increase. Deputy managing director of the Norwegian Truck Owners’ Association, Jan Terje Mentzoni. He points out that the level of fines in Norway is well above the corresponding fines in our neighboring countries. Photo: NLF The Ministry defends the increase The Ministry of Transport responds in an email to news that it is proposed to adjust the fine rates in accordance with the development in the consumer price index from 2023 to 2024. – The proposal is based on a desire to maintain the preventive effect on the fines and as a sanction against an undesirable action. The fine rates are designed so that the simplified provision will have the greatest possible effect in terms of traffic safety, they write. The ministry believes that enforcement of traffic violations is one of the most effective measures against unwanted and traffic-dangerous behaviour. – Inattention is the cause or contributory cause of a large number of very serious traffic accidents each year, and this is an increasing challenge, they write. – Stop bothering ordinary people But neither does parliamentary representative Frank Sve in the FRP think that high stakes will make us more law-abiding. – Higher taxes, fees and now higher fine rates are the only measures the government comes up with in most cases when it comes to transport. Storting representative for FRP, Frank Sve. Photo: Jan Erik Finsæther He believes the government should instead focus on the development of better and safer roads and invest heavily in traffic safety measures that actually save lives in traffic. – They should stop bothering ordinary people and the business world by constantly ripping everyone’s wallet, says Sve. The deadline for consultation was 13 December, and the rates will probably apply from 1 February 2024. Both Trygg Trafikk, the Police Directorate and the Attorney General say they have no strong opinions in this case. Willing to change the fine system Andreas Unneland is spokesperson for justice policy in SV. He says it is natural that the fine rates increase. But he doesn’t like the system as it is today. – Fines should be linked to income. It is strange that Kjell Inge Røkke gets the same fine as a single mother for using a mobile phone in the car, he says. Justice policy spokesperson in SV, Andreas Unneland. He thinks the government should rather start work on changing the system so that people can be punished based on their economic starting point. Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news NAF also agrees on this. – It will create more justice, says Handgard in NAF.
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Now the fine rates in traffic are increasing again – several are critical – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
