– I’m still a bit shaken, but have no physical pain. Norway is a “crazy” country in winter. That’s what Danish Narja Suhr (27) says to news. Together with her boyfriend, Magnus, they had a dramatic end to their holiday in Lofoten and Vesterålen. – We rented a car in Svolvær a few days ago and drove to Nyksund. Early on Saturday morning we saw that it was icy on the road and we discussed that we did not have winter tires on the rental car. Because when they rented the car it was plus temperatures and no snow to be seen. This changed quickly on Friday night. Since Friday evening, there have been a number of downhill skirmishes in Nordland: Traffic accidents in Nordland There have been a number of downhill skirmishes in Nordland since Friday evening: Saltfjellet: Report of a car that had driven off the road. Two people in the car, no serious injuries Vågan: A car driver lost control, crossed into the oncoming lane and ended up in the ditch. The driver was not injured, but the car was heavily damaged. There was a lot of snow on the road and the car had summer tyres. Brønnøy: A car lost control and drove off the road. Only the driver was on board, and was taken to the emergency department for examinations. Narvik: Traffic accident on the E10. A passenger car with one driver hit a lamp post. No personal injuries. Rana: A lorry train and a car have had a minor collision. No serious injuries, but the driver was taken to hospital for a check-up. Several other cars have problems on the slippery road surface in the area. Vågan: New car that has driven off the road in Lofoten. Four people in the car. Everyone is awake and can talk. Emergency services are on their way. Sørfold: A car has driven off the road on the E6 north of Straumen. Two people in the car, who claim to be uninjured. Source: The police in Nordland – We talked a bit about whether it was unsafe to drive, and chose to take it easy, says Suhr. The couple took the chance to get behind the wheel, but in an 80 zone the car lost its grip completely. – We drove at 50 kilometers per hour into a gentle bend. But the car lost all grip on the road, crossed into the opposite lane and into the ditch. It wasn’t very dramatic, but there was no point in steering, she says and adds: – It was insanely smooth! Summer tires on snowy roads are a bad combination. The couple from Denmark noticed that in Vesterålen on Saturday. Photo: Tipser She says that winter tires are just as common in her home country of Denmark as they are in Norway. – But not as early as the beginning of October… she says. After 30 minutes, they were picked up by tow trucks, and made their way to Stokmarknes. Vegtrafikksentralen: Many on summer tires – Most downhill runs yesterday and today were done on summer tires. Many places are slippery, so we recommend winter tires. That’s what traffic operator Synnøve Lukkassen says at the Traffic Center. She says that you should now have winter tires on the vast majority of mountain passes in northern Norway. It is full winter along the E10 over Bjørnfjell at the Swedish border. Photo: National Roads Administration – Over Bjørnfjell you must have winter tyres. Saltfjellet looks reasonably bare, but I would also recommend winter tires here. Above Beiarfjellet it is winter, she says and sums up: – I would not go over any mountain passes with summer tyres. You also don’t go up high until it’s winter. She believes that the reason why many people still drive on summer tires is that winter came on suddenly this year. – We have had a very nice summer, but almost no autumn. The snow came on suddenly, although it is not particularly early, she says. Peak season for changing tires – this is how you can make a bargain – It’s scary both for yourself and those you meet. You have to be able to stop and have control of the car when you end up in different situations, says tire fitter Trygve Lillegaard at Rensåsen Tire and Service Center in Bodø. Trygve Lillegaard at the Rensåsen tire and service center shows off a very worn winter tyre. Photo: Petter Strøm / news These are busy days for tire dealers around the country. The official winter tire season in Northern Norway is just around the corner. The dates for studded tires in Norway: Studded tires can only be used from and including 1 November and up to and including the first Sunday after Easter Monday. In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, studded tires can only be used from and including 16 October to and including 30 April. If the guide requires it, it is permitted to use studded tires and chains outside of these dates. If you use studded tyres, the vehicle must have studded tires on all wheels. You can use studless winter tires all year round. Source: Statens vegvesen And every year there are probably many motorists who check their tires to see if they will last another season. Some motorists should perhaps buy new tires a little earlier. This week Rensåsen Tire and Service Center received these winter tires from a customer. The tires are almost completely without both pattern and spikes. – So there are some people who drive around with their lives at stake on such tyres, says Trygve Lillegaard. – How are you going to check whether the tires are usable for another season? – First of all, it is about the tread depth and the age of the tyres. It is illegal to drive on winter tires with a tread depth of less than 3 millimeters. Some tires are equipped with a built-in depth gauge. Alternatively, you can measure the tread depth yourself, for example with a ruler or a measuring instrument that you can get from your tire dealer. – At the same time, it is important to feel your gut feeling. If you feel that the tires are uncomfortable and slippery when you brake, just change them. Then there is no point in thinking about pattern depth or age, says Lillegaard. But used tires can work just as well as new ones. In any case, the tire test for the magazine Motor shows it. Tested used tires against new Motor is the member’s magazine for NAF’s members. This year they have published a large winter tire test. New this year was that they included used tires in the assessment, and the result surprised responsible editor Peter Raaum. – In many areas, the used tires had as good qualities as brand new cheap tyres, both with and without studs. In that sense, there is an argument that if you choose a good tyre, you can have the tire for longer, he says. Motor’s test consisted of 8 different tyres, and the conclusion is clear. USED VS. NEW: Peter Raaum and the editors in Motor included a used winter tire in this year’s test. And they used the tires pleasantly surprised. Photo: Tomm Christiansen / Motor – There is a big difference in quality. The premium tyres, the slightly more expensive tires from the biggest manufacturers, give you safety and a quality that makes them attractive choices, says Raaum. – The affordable tires score well in some parts of the test, but all in all, the premium tires are a safer choice. But for many who are considering buying new tyres, it may be tempting to try to save a few kroner by not buying the most expensive tyres. – Sometimes you can’t afford it. But investing in proper tires pays off in the long run, as premium tires last longer, says Raaum. In the tire shop in Rensåsen in Bodø, there are several customers who are looking for new tyres. – Some people are very concerned about price. At the same time, they want tires that will last and see the longer-term picture. For those who want tires that will last for many years, price may not be so important, says seller Isabell Lillegaard. If you are going to buy new tyres, how do you choose the winter tire that is right for you? SAFETY TRUMPS PRICE: Isabell Lillegaard, salesperson at Rensåsen Tire and Service Centre, says that their customers think safety before price. Photo: Petter Strøm / news Look out for campaigns The most important thing, according to Peter Raaum, is to choose tires based on the conditions you usually drive in. – If you drive in Finnmark on hard-packed winter roads, you need different types of tires than in Bergen, where you usually drive on wet asphalt. But in any case, you can save money by double-checking what the tires cost at several dealers before you swipe the card. – There is often tough competition and campaigns on deck, so the possibilities of getting a good offer are great.
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Several downhill runs on smooth roads in Northern Norway
