– We have different tracks for the small and large cars. Julianne Fossberg (22) directs traffic on the ferry connection Mannheller-Fodnes on national road 5 between Sogndal and Lærdal. All the time she is trying to separate the different vehicles from each other. But it is not always so easy. – Those who come at the last minute, are only put there as there is room. They can only be behind the trucks, if that is what is needed. Fatal accidents doubled 63 people have lost their lives in traffic so far this year. That is more than a doubling compared to the same period last year. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is now asking the ferry companies to think new to reduce fatal accidents: Motorhomes and trucks that slow down traffic must wait to wait to get off, says department director Anders Sæternes in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration believes that ferries can do more to reduce dangerous situations and overtaking on Norwegian roads. Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news Think the big stocks are plugged He has been looking for measures everywhere to reduce the number of fatal accidents. Among other things, they saw that the ferries have great potential for improvement. Motorhomes and trucks that slow down traffic must wait to drive off, Sæternes believes. – There are some episodes where the biggest ones come off first, and make a small stopper. It can create dangerous overtaking, says Sæternes. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration does not have statistics that there have been accidents related to this this year. But they still believe it can help. – We try to create a calmer traffic picture, he says. The little ones should only be released first in land where possible. – The ferries will not take longer than before. It will vary to what extent they manage to implement this, he says Captain: – A sensible thought Captain Jan Åge Berge calls the proposal «a sensible thought». At the same time, he emphasizes that it will never work completely optimally. – We try it, but fail to do it to one hundred percent. We do not have time for that. This is a big connection, it is hectic, he says. In the summer, they try to let small cars out first. – But usually we think that those who come first on board, should also come first ashore, he says. Captain Jan Åge Berge thinks it is sensible thinking from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. But it is difficult to implement in practice, he believes. Photo: Sondre Dalaker / news
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Worried about fatal accidents in traffic – will clear lorries off the road after ferry trips – news Vestland
