The stalls are big enough as they are, a Norwegian police officer believes about the government's plans to punish drivers even more.
The police in Norway are opposing the government's proposal to increase fines for traffic violations. They believe that the current rates are high enough to have the desired deterrent effect.
– We believe that the rates are so high now that it is not necessary to increase the rates to maintain the preventive or deterrent effect of the fines.
– That is why we are against this proposal, says Operations Director Runar Karlsen at the Norwegian Police Directorate according to NRK .
Traffic fines have increased significantly in recent years. In 2023, the rates were increased by 30 percent, and last year they increased by a further approximately 5 percent in line with the general price increase. The government now wants to raise the rates again to keep up with price developments.
UP, the Emergency Police, is also against the proposal for further increases.
"We think it is more important to increase the risk of being discovered than to increase the fees further," says UP manager Knut Smedsrud.
The government's proposal means, among other things, that it will cost 10,450 Norwegian kroner to talk on a mobile phone during the crossing. This corresponds to 6,600 Danish kroner.
A report from the Danish Institute of Transport Economics from November shows that a 50 percent increase in the number of stops results in an estimated reduction of three deaths or serious injuries in traffic.
In comparison, tripling police checks results in an estimated decrease of 113 deaths or serious injuries.
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On a list of effects of ten different traffic safety measures, an increase in stalls comes in ninth place.
State Secretary Tom Kalsås (Ap) at the Ministry of Transport argues that a continuous increase in fines is necessary.
– The preventive effect of the toll booths, which are intended to help road users comply with the rules, will diminish over time if the tariffs are not adjusted in line with price developments.
