10,800 reported last year: This is what scares drivers the most

28.05.2025 - Norwegians’ by far greatest fear in traffic intoxicated driversis intoxicated drivers. Last year, 30 people were reported to the police every single day. "That can scare anyone," says Roger Ytre-Hauge, head of motor insurance at Frende Forsikring.

Every day, many trips and many kilometers are driven on Norwegian roads under the influence of alcohol. Statistics show that intoxication is the reason for one in five fatal accidents on Norwegian roads, according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's accident analysis group.

What Norwegians think is scariest

• People driving under the influence – 76 percent

• Challenging driving conditions (icy roads, heavy rain, poor visibility, etc.) – 53 percent

• Animals/wildlife – 50 percent

• People driving too fast – 40 percent

• Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, electric scooters) – 36 percent

• Foreign cars/trucks – 26 percent

• The police – 9 percent

• Tunnels – 5 percent

• Exits from the motorway – 3 percent

• Roundabouts – 2 percentSource: The Frende survey, conducted by Norstat in spring 2025

The Frende survey asked what drivers feared the most three years ago. Also then, people driving under the influence came out as the clear number one.

"You have zero control" More than 90 percent fear something on the list. Only eight percent are not afraid of anything.

"I completely understand this list. Drivers under the influence are something you have zero control over yourself. You don’t know when you’ll encounter them, and you can’t avoid them by your own actions," says the head of motor insurance at Frende.

"There must be zero tolerance for driving under the influence. If you suspect someone is driving while affected by alcohol, drugs, or pills, you must take action and stop them. Or contact the police. It can save lives," he says.

Significant underreporting Figures from the police show that 10,848 drivers were reported for driving under the influence in Norway in 2024.

"That is an outrageous number, especially because there is significant underreporting when it comes to drunk driving. It’s not the case that most offenders are caught," says Roger Ytre-Hauge at Frende Forsikring.

Previous roadside surveys have shown that it is likely that more than 200,000 kilometers are driven every single day by private cars with an alcohol-impaired driver.

Where most were reported for impaired driving last year Divided by police district:

• Sør-Øst – 1,848

• Øst – 1,461

• Oslo – 1,271

• Sør-Vest – 985

• Vest – 956

• Trøndelag – 898

• Innlandet – 891

• Agder – 729

• Møre og Romsdal – 665

• Nordland – 514

• Troms – 373

• Finnmark – 226

Source: MA – Rusfri Trafikk