A dangerous morning on Norwegian roads saw multiple accidents as drivers failed to switch to winter tires despite official warnings. Police reported several serious collisions across the country during Friday's morning commute.
Near Trondheim Airport Værnes, a woman in her forties crashed into the back of a truck on the E6 highway. Authorities confirmed she was still using summer tires on her vehicle. The collision deployed the car's airbags and required medical attention for the driver. Police immediately confiscated her driver's license following the incident.
Further north in Ă…lesund, two vehicles collided on icy roads just before 8 AM. The accident caused substantial vehicle damage and left one person trapped, requiring emergency extraction. Police described road conditions as extremely slippery at the scene.
Another incident occurred in Hå municipality, where a car slid off the road near Nærbø. The vehicle sustained major damage after hitting both a rock and a lamppost. No serious injuries were reported in this particular crash.
Meteorologists had issued repeated warnings throughout the week urging drivers to install winter tires. The yellow weather warning for mountain snowdrifts across Southern Norway continues to affect driving conditions. Reduced visibility and snow accumulation on roadways create particularly hazardous situations.
Norwegian law doesn't mandate specific dates for winter tire use, but drivers must use tires appropriate for road conditions. This flexibility creates confusion each year during seasonal transitions. Many drivers wait too long to make the switch, risking their safety and others.
Road authorities can implement convoy driving or close roads entirely with little notice during severe weather. The recent accidents demonstrate how quickly conditions can deteriorate during Norway's transition to winter. International visitors and new residents should note that Norwegian insurance companies may deny claims involving accidents where inappropriate tires contributed to the crash.
Police emphasize that summer tires lose effectiveness below 7°C, becoming dangerously hard and losing grip. The rubber compounds in winter tires remain flexible in cold temperatures, providing crucial traction on icy surfaces. Many Nordic drivers make the seasonal switch in October, well before the first major snowfall.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder that vehicle preparation must match actual road conditions, not just the calendar date. The relatively mild autumn weather in some regions often lulls drivers into complacency about tire changes.