Norwegian drivers are holding onto a dangerous myth about their speedometers, with a majority admitting to regularly breaking speed limits. A new survey commissioned by Frende Forsikring reveals that 63 percent of Norwegian motorists believe it is acceptable to exceed posted speed limits, a finding that has alarmed road safety experts. The research, conducted by Norstat, dismantles the long-standing belief that a car's speedometer consistently shows a reading 10 km/h higher than the vehicle's actual speed.
A Pervasive and Dangerous Misconception
Frende Forsikring's motor department chief, Roger Ytre-Hauge, stated the old advice is pure nonsense. 'Many have probably heard that "the speedometer always shows 10 km/h higher than the actual speed," but that old advice is just nonsense,' Ytre-Hauge said. He explained that while EU regulations allow speedometers to show a reading up to 10 percent higher than the real speed, they must never show a lower speed. 'Most speedometers show a little too much, but that it is 10 km/h over is no rule,' Ytre-Hauge clarified. He urged drivers to abandon this gamble for safety. 'Some speedometers also show the real speed, so you can't gamble on this. Think that 80 on the speedometer is 80 in real speed, then you are safe.'
Survey Exposes Widespread Risky Attitudes
The survey data paints a concerning picture of driver attitudes across Norway. A significant 46 percent of respondents stated it is acceptable to drive up to 10 km/h over the set limit. Another 17 percent believe it is fine to exceed the limit as long as they personally feel the situation is safe. These attitudes directly contradict the behavior of a smaller, rule-abiding cohort, as 37 percent of those surveyed said speed limits should never be broken. Yet, the gap between principle and practice is vast. 78 percent of drivers admitted they have actually driven too fast. Ytre-Hauge expressed deep concern over these findings. 'We know that speed kills. Many have attitudes towards the speed limit that scare me,' the insurance specialist said.
Regional Breakdown and Tragic Consequences
Geographically, the survey found the highest incidence of speed limit breaches in the counties of Innlandet, Telemark, and Akershus. The counties with the fewest drivers reporting speeding were Buskerud and Finnmark. This casual approach to speed limits has fatal repercussions. Official figures from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) show 111 people died in traffic accidents in Norway in 2025. This marks a sharp increase of 24 more deaths than the previous year. A particularly troubling spike was recorded among young people aged 16 to24, where 23 individuals lost their lives. Ytre-Hauge connected the survey's findings directly to this tragedy. 'It is just tragic. We know many young people experiment with speed. At the same time, young people have less experience behind the wheel. In some cases and environments, it becomes a vicious circle where limits are tested, also while other youths are in the car,' he said.
| Region | Speed Limit Adherence Trend |
|---|---|
| Innlandet, Telemark, Akershus | Highest rate of speeding |
| Buskerud, Finnmark | Lowest rate of speeding |
The Undeniable Link Between Speed and Safety
The intense focus from both insurance companies and government authorities on speed compliance is grounded in clear, empirical evidence. Analysts consistently observe a direct correlation between vehicle speed and the severity of accidents, particularly fatalities. Speed reduces a driver's reaction time, increases stopping distance exponentially, and dramatically raises the kinetic energy involved in a collision. The recent mortality statistics for Norway provide a grim validation of these principles. The rise in deaths is not an abstract statistic but a national crisis, underscored by the heavy loss of young lives. The survey suggests that a cultural normalization of minor speeding, justified by a false belief in speedometer error, is contributing to this deadly trend. When drivers believe they have a built-in buffer, they are more likely to push past the legal limit, eroding the safety margin designed into Norway's road system.
Moving Beyond Myth to Safer Roads
The path forward requires a concerted effort to correct this pervasive misinformation. Safety campaigns must clearly communicate that the '10 km/h myth' is a lethal fallacy. As Ytre-Hauge insists, the only safe assumption is that the speedometer is correct. Enforcement and education need to address the specific attitudes revealed in the survey, particularly the notion that a driver's personal assessment of safety can override posted limits. The regional variations also suggest targeted interventions could be effective in areas like Innlandet and Telemark. Ultimately, reversing the tragic uptick in road deaths, especially among the young, depends on changing driver behavior. It hinges on every motorist internalizing a simple, non-negotiable fact: the number shown on the dashboard is the speed you must obey, because the alternative, as the latest numbers prove, is measured in lives lost on Norwegian roads every year.