Police in Gothenburg received multiple calls about children and teenagers throwing snowballs at vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. The incidents occurred in the Mölndal and Majorna districts during the afternoon hours. Authorities emphasize that while snowball throwing might seem harmless, it can cause serious traffic accidents with severe consequences.
Throwing snowballs at moving vehicles constitutes a criminal offense under Swedish law. Police officials stated that such actions endanger both road users and the perpetrators themselves. The situation becomes particularly dangerous when snowballs hit windshields, potentially startling drivers and causing loss of vehicle control.
This incident reflects broader winter safety challenges in Swedish cities. Gothenburg, as Sweden's second-largest city, experiences heavy traffic flow even during winter months. The combination of reduced daylight hours and slippery road conditions already creates hazardous driving environments. Additional distractions like snowball attacks compound these risks substantially.
Swedish traffic safety regulations treat any object thrown at vehicles as potentially dangerous interference. Legal consequences can include fines or juvenile delinquency proceedings for younger offenders. For adult participants, charges could escalate to endangerment of traffic safety, which carries more severe penalties.
Local residents expressed concern about the recurring nature of such incidents during winter months. One neighborhood representative noted that while winter play is traditional, targeting moving vehicles crosses clear safety boundaries. The community hopes for increased police presence during peak hours to deter future occurrences.
Emergency response teams highlight that even minor distractions can lead to major accidents on icy roads. Drivers suddenly braking or swerving to avoid snowballs risk collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. The slippery winter conditions in Western Sweden mean stopping distances are significantly longer than during summer months.
This situation raises questions about parental supervision and school safety education. Many Swedish schools incorporate traffic safety into their curriculum, but seasonal risks like snowball throwing deserve specific attention. The timing during afternoon hours suggests children may be returning from school when these incidents occur.
Police have increased patrols in the affected areas and urge witnesses to report similar incidents immediately. They remind the public that what begins as playful winter activity can quickly turn tragic when combined with moving traffic. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify those responsible.