NPRA: Bring warm clothing, food and shovel

Hovden. Cars waiting to run.Photo: Tore Meek / NTB scanpix

There is a lot of snow on the mountain passes, and people who will be driving for long distances this Easter, should prepare for long waiting lines at convoys, the Road Traffic Management Centrea advises.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of drivers taking part in the Easter “exodus”, but this has not had any great effect on the traffic volume,  operator Christof Key-Nilsen at Road Traffic Management Centre in Oslo said to the news agency NTB.

First peak Friday
– We will see a peak on Friday, and then the traffic throughout the weekend, and also Monday through Wednesday. But when the people drive home, they will all travel at the same time, she says. Many  delay the trip homeward for as long as possible, especially when the weather is fine. NPRA also expect a bit of traffic through Østfold to Sweden and on Maundy Thursday.
The operator asks people to make sure they are informed on and aware of the conditions on the stretches where they will be driving, both in terms of roadworks and road conditions.
– Be prepared for convoys if you’re going over mountain passes. There still is a lot of snow. Bring enough fuel, warm clothing, food and shovel. Suddenly you may be stuck there, and the wait can be long, says Key-Nilsen.

Could be a lot of waiting
Earlier this winter there were up to ten hours of waiting for driving on E134 over Haukelifjell. The reason was partly because poor visibility meant that the plowing crews had to bring fewer cars in each column and had to drive slower.
– We know that there are some bad weather in the north. It is wise to check conditions,  the operator advises.
She calls on everyone, including those who live in the lowlands, to:
– Do not stress and stick to the queue.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today