From 1 February, it became significantly more expensive to break the traffic rules: The rates for traffic fines increased by as much as 30 per cent. Now, for example, it costs you NOK 9,700 if you are caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. If you break several rules at the same time, you risk a joint fine of NOK 26,250. The change was out for consultation before it was introduced. Among other things, central parts of the police, the Emergency Police (UP), the Attorney General, Trygg Trafikk and the Norwegian Lorry Association (NLF) say a clear no to introducing the sky-high rates. But despite widespread criticism, the new traffic fines were introduced by the government. Thinks the proposal is too poorly justified Managing director Geir A. Mo of NLF calls the new fines “incomprehensible”. – The proposal is justified in a superficial and simplified way. There is a prerequisite that if the fines are high enough, then you will get better traffic safety. But it’s not like that, says Mo. Geir A. Mo in the Norwegian Truck Owners Association. Photo: Braata, Espen / Braata, Espen He believes the new traffic fines will lead to unnecessary punishment. – The fine is not related to the offence. That tells me that this is about pulling in money and getting a budget to go up. The alleged effect has not been documented, says Mo. In the consultation memorandum, the government indicates that the new fines will provide an annual additional income to the state of approximately NOK 241 million. The calculation is based on the number of simplified orders issued in 2021. State Secretary Geir Indrefjord (Sp) in the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Services nevertheless believes that Geir A. Mo misses the mark with his plan. – I think it is unfortunate that Mo downplays speeding violations when we know how important speed is for the frequency and severity of traffic accidents, he writes in an e-mail to news. Broad criticism from different quarters Several of the consultation responses concern a concern that the 30 per cent increase will not have the desired effect. Trygg Trafikk writes, among other things: “Norway already today has high fine rates in an international context. There is therefore much evidence that a further increase of 30 per cent will not have the desired traffic safety effect. On the contrary, there is a danger that the population will perceive such a level as unreasonable.” The Attorney General writes: “As the hearing has now been informed, the Attorney General cannot agree to the proposal to increase the fine rates for simplified orders. In the attorney general’s view, there is reason to question the rationale on which the proposal is based.” The Norwegian Traffic School Association, on the other hand, stood behind the proposal. The same was done by the Nordland State Attorney’s Office, which writes: “Such an increase is believed to have a preventive effect and to contribute to greater compliance with central traffic rules.” Oslo municipality was not only positive about the proposal, but thought the rates should be even higher. Read all the consultation responses here (external link). Calls for more knowledge UP chief Knut Smedsrud does not think we have enough knowledge about whether high fines improve traffic safety. – Is the preventive effect big enough to justify such high fine rates? We don’t know enough about that, he says. UP chief Knut Smedsrud. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news For drink-driving, the fine is given based on the income of the person caught. Smedsrud responds that the new traffic fines are the same for everyone. – In general, criminal law takes people’s performance into account. You don’t do that here. It can be perceived as unfair, because punishment and crime must be in a certain relationship. The UP chief fears that a consequence of the high fines may be that more people contest the submission. As a result, the case may end up in the legal system. – It will be more resource-intensive. Simplified submissions are supposed to dispose of a case in a simple and resource-saving way, he says. – Serious for society State Secretary Indrefjord believes it was right to introduce the high fines despite the protests ahead. – 118 people were killed in traffic in Norway in 2022, an increase of almost 50 per cent from the previous year. This is serious for everyone who loses loved ones in accidents and for society and the community. That more people obey the speed limit helps to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in traffic, he writes in the e-mail. Indrefjord does not agree that there is too little knowledge about the preventive effect of high traffic fines. – I think it is wise to make decisions based on the knowledge we have. We know that speed kills and that financial incentives often work.
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Wide criticism of the government’s new traffic fines – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
