Police in North Jutland received multiple emergency calls Wednesday evening around 9 PM. Callers reported a ghost driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of E39 motorway. The dangerous situation began just after entrance 5 near Vrå.
Officers quickly mobilized as more calls flooded in. Patrol chief Lau Larsen described the seriousness of the situation. He said the department received numerous reports about the wrong-way vehicle. The driver continued past exit 4 before finally turning off at exit 3 near Hjørring C.
This created a terrifying 10-kilometer journey in the wrong direction. Miraculously, no accidents occurred during this dangerous drive. Police eventually stopped the vehicle on Frederikshavnsvej road shortly after the motorway incident.
The driver turned out to be a 90-year-old man. Officers immediately confiscated his car and charged him with reckless driving. Police had previously noted his erratic driving pattern before the wrong-way incident. The vehicle matched all descriptions provided by emergency callers.
Denmark maintains strict traffic laws for elderly drivers. The country requires medical checks for drivers over 70 when renewing licenses. This incident raises questions about driving competency in advanced age. Many European nations face similar challenges with aging populations.
North Jutland police emphasized the extreme danger of wrong-way driving. Motorway collisions at high speeds often prove fatal. The E39 corridor serves as a vital transportation artery in northern Denmark. Heavy traffic volumes make such incidents particularly concerning.
This case follows similar wrong-way driving incidents across Scandinavia last year. Swedish authorities reported several cases involving elderly drivers. Norwegian police also documented wrong-way entries on major highways. Transportation experts suggest better signage and detection systems might prevent future occurrences.
The 90-year-old driver now faces serious legal consequences. Danish law treats wrong-way driving as reckless endangerment. Penalties can include license suspension and substantial fines. The court will consider the driver's age and medical condition during proceedings.
Local residents expressed relief that no one suffered injuries. Many questioned how someone could drive 10 kilometers against traffic unnoticed. Transportation officials plan to review motorway entry points for potential safety improvements.