– It was early in the morning and damp on the asphalt. It turned out that it was newly laid asphalt. So when I gave gas, I went straight to the crash barrier, says Atle Christensen (65). Today he is paralyzed from the navel down. He has been doing this since 2015. So far this year, twelve people have lost their lives in motorcycle accidents, one of them on a moped, according to Trygg Trafikk. Bård Morten Johansen in Trygg Trafikk. Photo: Trygg Trafikk Last year, 15 people lost their lives with motorcycles on Norwegian roads, according to Statistics Norway (see line diagram). – We have generally had a terrible start to the year when it comes to those killed on Norwegian roads, and motorcyclists are also part of the increase, says senior adviser in Trygg Trafikk, Bård Morten Johansen. Could only touch his head The time Christensen did not die, but became seriously injured, he was on his way to work at Stord. – I was at 60 kilometers per hour. Then an 80 sign came, and then the cars in front of me gave way. I would do the same, to keep my place in the queue, he thinks. He remembers that he afterwards tried to take off his helmet, but did not succeed. Ambulance personnel asked if he could touch his body. – But I did not manage that. Only on the head, he says. He was transported to the hospital in Haugesund. Afterwards to Haukeland in Bergen. Christensen was 57 years old when this happened. When he finally returned to Hinna in Stavanger, he had to rebuild the house. Now he has a lift. – I broke my back and both legs, arms and fingers. The back was the worst, because I have become paralyzed from the navel down. Did you take the note before the 2000s? What Christensen did not know seven years ago is that he, with his then 57 years as a motorcycle driver, was among those who had the greatest chance of being life-threateningly injured. About 40 percent of all motorcycle deaths have occurred in the age group between 45 and 64 years. – In the middle of the 2000s, we received new driver training in Norway. Many motorcyclists received a driver’s license before it started. Those who have not driven in a few years should contact professional actors for advice and guidance, Johansen in Trygg Trafikk encourages. Kjetil Fuhr has about 60 motorcycles. He has not escaped accidents, and recommends training a little before each season starts. Photo: Ingvald Nordmark / news Kjetil Fuhr at Klepp station in Jæren has about 60 motorcycles. He has ridden a motorcycle for over 40 years, and knows that it is a skill that must be maintained. – In order to be able to master a sudden situation in the traffic picture, we must have trained on it. And the more you train, the better you become, he says. His best advice is to run a few laps in a closed place before the spring season begins. But neither has he escaped accidents. – But I was lucky. I could walk from there. Not everyone can do that, unfortunately. More vegans after two years of pandemic Police officer at the Traffic Section at Stavanger police station, Aleksander Naley, does not see a clear answer. – I would like to have the fasit. One possible explanation is that there are more vegans after two years of pandemic, and that they like to get out a little, he says. The police officer at the Traffic Section in Stavanger would like to know why there are so many motorcycle accidents this year. That more people are vegan may be an explanation, according to him. Photo: Ingvald Nordmark / news Atle Christensen has just turned 65 years old. He is partly back at work and has sorted out much of the practicalities of house and car. – I have calmed down with what happened. That’s how it turned out. There is nothing else to do but try to look a little ahead, he says.
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Twelve deaths on motorcycles so far this year. Atle just had to “keep his place in the queue” – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
