Norway's speed cameras generated 362 million kroner in fines last year. That's a 20 million kroner jump from the year before. And yet, on a winding road in Helldal near Bergen, one of the country's top-earning cameras seems to command little respect. 'It doesn't seem like people care, really,' says Dagfinn Thunestvedt, a local resident who watches drivers accelerate past the box that netted the state 6.5 million kroner in a single year. 'They should have driven headfirst into another one,' he adds, pointing to the apparent indifference. This paradox lies at the heart of Norway's automated traffic control system: soaring revenues alongside persistent risky behavior.
The Cash Cow on a Country Road
Dagfinn Thunestvedt's vantage point isn't on a major motorway. It's on County Road 587, a rural stretch heading towards Arna. This specific camera's hefty haul underscores a national trend. The state collected 362 million kroner from speed cameras across Norway in 2024. Motorways in Oslo dominated the list, with the VĂ„lerenga Tunnel towards Drammen leading at just under 30 million kroner. But the presence of cameras on roads like Fv587 in Helldal shows the system's reach. Last year, these cameras also led to the confiscation of 550 driver's licenses. The VĂ„lerenga Tunnel alone accounted for 89 of those. It's a significant enforcement tool, but the financial figures suggest a widespread compliance problem.
A Safety Tool with Proven Results
For the authorities, the revenue is a secondary effect. The primary goal is saving lives. 'Speed cameras are one of the best measures we have in the toolbox,' says Hilde HalĂ„s, section leader for automatic traffic control at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. 'With correct use of speed cameras, in the right place, you can reduce the most serious accidents by 50 percent.' HalĂ„s emphasizes the safety rationale behind the network, which currently consists of 448 automatic control points. The data backs this up, but the rising fine revenue indicates that the deterrent message isn't fully getting through. The government and Storting have given clear directives in the National Transport Plan for 2025â2036 to increase the establishment of new control points. So more cameras are coming.
Rising Revenue, Rising Fatalities
The financial and safety pictures aren't perfectly aligned. In 2025, 111 people died in traffic accidents in Norway. That's 24 more than the year before. 'We unfortunately saw an increase in the number of fatalities last year, even though we are the best in Europe on traffic safety, for the tenth year in a row,' HalÄs notes. The causes of these deaths are often unclear and not always solely due to excessive speed. But the correlation between speed and accident severity is well-established. The increase in deaths, concurrent with rising camera revenues, forces a tough question. Are drivers simply accepting fines as a cost of doing business? The system is designed to modify behavior, but the revenue stream suggests many are choosing to pay rather than slow down.
Policy Push and Public Perception
The Storting's backing for expanded automatic traffic control is a clear policy priority. The National Transport Plan isn't just about building roads; it's about managing how they're used. This push for more ATK points reflects a long-term strategy to curb speeding, especially on high-risk stretches. Locations like the E6 near Setermoen towards Narvik or the E39 Byfjord Tunnel near Randaberg are critical links, often used for freight and travel to northern regions. Ensuring safety on these corridors is paramount for national connectivity. Yet, the public's reaction, as observed by locals like Thunestvedt, hints at a disconnect. The cameras are there, the fines are hefty, but the immediate behavioral change isn't always visible.
The Top Ten Revenue Generators
A look at the top-earning camera locations reveals a mix of urban tunnels and key arterial roads. After the VÄlerenga Tunnel, the list includes the E18 at Hovet/BrattÄs in Porsgrunn and the Rv159 RÊling Tunnel towards LillestrÞm. The Helldal camera sits at number four. Others, like the E6 bypass northbound and the E6 from Setermoen to Narvik, highlight major national routes. The E39 near TÞndergÄrd towards Molde center and the E18 Banehei Tunnel North in Kristiansand round out the southern focus. Notably, cameras in the north, such as on Fv12 Engasjyen east in Mo i Rana and the E6 from Kronstad towards Kirkenes in Alta, show the system's nationwide coverage, including Arctic logistics routes vital for industry.
Analysis: A System at a Crossroads
The figures present a complex story. On one hand, the Roads Administration has a powerful, data-driven tool that demonstrably improves safety when deployed strategically. The 50 percent reduction potential for serious accidents is a compelling statistic for any policymaker. On the other hand, the steady revenue growthâ362 million kroner is a substantial sumâindicates a segment of the driving population remains undeterred. This isn't just about individual choice; it's about the effectiveness of enforcement as a behavioral modifier. The confiscation of 550 licenses shows serious consequences for some, but for others, the fine may be an acceptable risk. The government's commitment to expanding the network, as per the NTP, suggests a doubling down on this approach, betting that increased density of control will eventually shift norms.
The Human and Economic Cost
The 111 traffic deaths in 2025 cast a long shadow. While Norway leads Europe in safety, this increase is a worrying reversal. The Roads Administration is conducting in-depth analyses of last year's fatalities to understand the causes better. Speed is a known factor, but not the only one. This nuance is critical for future policy. The camera system is part of a broader strategy that must include road design, vehicle safety, and public awareness campaigns. The revenue from fines, while significant, is a fraction of the human and economic cost of crashes. It doesn't fund specific projects directly but goes into the state treasury, contributing to general budgets that could, in theory, support transportation infrastructure or safety initiatives.
What Comes Next?
More cameras. That's the short-term outlook from the government's directives. The Roads Administration's Hilde HalÄs confirms that the coming years will likely see a significant rise in the number of automatic control points. This expansion will touch more roads, from the busiest Oslo tunnels to remote stretches in Finnmark. The challenge will be ensuring this growth translates into safer driving, not just higher state income. The indifference noted by residents like Thunestvedt is a hurdle. If cameras become mere revenue stations rather than perceived life-savers, their effectiveness as a deterrent could diminish. The data shows they work. But changing driver culture? That's a longer road.