2013/04
Road traffic report 2013/04
This report is in Norwegian only. English summary and recommendations is included. On Monday, 12 December 2011 at approx. 1915 hours, the driver of a lorry truck lost control of the trailer (drawbar trailer) in a slight right curve on the E39 near Vinjeøra in Hemne municipality. This happened while another car was approaching in the opposite direction, and the front part of the trailer came over into the left side of the road where it collided with the oncoming passenger car. There were five people in the car and two died. The investigation has uncovered that conditions relating to the driver, vehicle and road contributed to the accident. The AIBN has in particular mentioned the brake system of the trailer as a safety issue with potential for improvement, but the choice of speed, differing tire characteristics for the lorry and trailer, as well as the design and condition of the road have been mentioned. An important underlying factor is the importance of good quality follow-up of the technical condition on part of the vehicle owner included internal garage activities. The need for closer follow-up through periodic brake inspections on heavy trailers is also described. Two safety recommendations have been issued as a result of the investigation.
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation ROAD No. 2013/06T
Elvrum Transport AS has chosen to repair and maintain several of the vehicles in their fleet at their own garage, mostly trailers. This entails a great responsibility and is a demanding task requiring both good expertise and the right equipment. Based on the findings from the investigation, the AIBN believes that the trailer involved in the accident was not followed up and maintained as described in the company's procedures.
The AIBN recommends that Elvrum Transport AS improves its follow-up and execution of maintenance and repairs on its own vehicles.
Safety recommendation ROAD No. 2013/07T
The investigation of the trailer after the accident, eight months after the last approval in a scheduled inspection, showed that the brake effect was too weak and that there was a mechanical error in the ABS system. The investigation has shown that more frequent inspection of trailer brakes could have uncovered the errors that contributed to the accident.
The AIBN recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration considers the frequency of scheduled inspections of brake systems on heavy trailers.
Facts
| Location | E39 near Vinjeøra, Sør-Trøndelag |
| Occurrence date | 12.12.2011 |
| Accident type | Head-on collision |
| Road class | European road |
| County | Sør-Trøndelag |
| Police Disctrict | Sør-Trøndelag |
| Vehicle type | Passenger car, Truck and trailer |
| Type of Transportation | Freight transport, Private transport |
| Road region | Central Region |
| Accident category | Ulykke m/ kjøretøy over 7500 kg |