Report on head-on collision on the Fv. 763 road in Snåsa municipality, Nord-Trøndelag county 7 March 2016
Road traffic report 2017/01
During the military exercise Cold Response 2016 on 7 March 2016, there was a head-on collision accident between a military armored vehicle and a van on a public road. This road was also a part of the exercise's battles zone. The driver of the van died in the collision. AIBN's investigation has shown that Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) gave the military exemption from the terms to have an escort vehicle along with broad military vehicles. The terms on which the military was granted exemption of escort vehicles in the “battle zones” was to ensure road safety for ordinary traffic. The investigation has shown that the terms for traffic safety in the “battle zone” was inadequate to safeguard ordinary traffic. AIBN considers the “battle zone” to have a distance too poorly defined, absent compensating measures, and inadequate warnings to ordinary traffic.
The head-on collision between the military armored vehicle, which was equipped as salvage unit, and a civilian van, took place in a slight curve. Two people were aboard the armored vehicle. The driver was alone in the van, and he died in the collision. The investigation has shown that road conditions gave small margins in this meeting situation. The armored vehicle had tracked propulsion, was heavy and wide, and difficult to maneuver with great precision. It was uneven friction, and the conditions in the curve made the meeting situation demanding.
The armored vehicle width is above general permitted vehicle width and requires exception, and an escort vehicle to warn oncoming traffic. NPRA had granted an exemption for the use of escort vehicles on the part of the road which was defined as a battle zone. As compensatory measures the civilian traffic was notified with a trafficking sign, placed at each end of a 40 km long stretch of road at the battle zone`s perimeter. The area was also kept under surveillance with mobile military police patrols, but the road was not speed regulated specifically in relation to the exercise. The speed limit on the road at the accident site was 80 km/h.
AIBN considers that activity with military vehicles, which are both heavier, wider and have different driving characteristics, differ from those normally be used on the road, makes great demands on all road users. The atypical traffic requires good planning, and risk assessments must be followed up with effective compensatory measures to ensure safety. The investigation has shown that there is a potential for improvement of the framework of exceptions and exemptions, understanding and compliance with the agreements, to ensure the safety of all traffic on public roads, simultaneously used during military exercises.
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation ROAD No 2017/01T
The investigation of the head-on collision between an armored vehicle and a van 7 March 2016 has shown that the compensating terms from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration regarding the exemption to drive with an escort vehicle was inadequate to safeguard ordinary traffic. The AIBN considers the “battle zone” to have a distance too poorly defined, absent compensating measures, and inadequate warnings to ordinary traffic.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) revise and improve its process regarding applications, the terms of exceptions, exemptions, signage and warning in military exercises.
Safety recommendation ROAD No 2017/02T
The investigation of the head-on collision between an armored vehicle and a van 7 March 2016 has shown that the distance of the “battle zone” was poorly defined and too long, giving insufficient warnings to the ordinary traffic. The AIBN considers the warning-trailers in both ends, supported by a presence of military police in a 40 km long “battle zone”, not to be sufficiently compensating for the absence of escort vehicles.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Joint Headquarters in its central planning, demands a certain safety-level related to military vehicles without escort vehicles on public roads during military exercises to safeguard civilian traffic.
Safety recommendation ROAD No 2017/03T
The investigation of the head-on collision between an armored vehicle and a van 7 March 2016 has shown that the compensating terms regarding the exemption to drive with an escort vehicle from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) was inadequate to safeguard ordinary traffic. The warning-trailers in both ends of a “battle zone”, approved by NPRA, is by the AIBN considered not to adequately inform the public about them meeting military units without an escort vehicle.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) and the Norwegian Joint Headquarters consult with each other and improve signage and the warnings given to civil traffic, to better inform about the distance and dangers of the “battle-zone”.
Safety recommendation ROAD No 2017/04T
The head-on collision between an armored vehicle and a van 7 March 2016 has uncovered that the armored vehicle had inadequate drivability on a road with split friction and oncoming traffic. In training, the educational program for armored vehicle does not specifically consider split friction when driving.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Army includes split friction when driving on public roads as a part of the educational program and training for armored vehicle drivers to increase awareness.
Facts
| Location | FV763, Snåsa, Nord-Trøndelag |
| Occurrence date | 07.03.2016 |
| Accident type | Head-on collision |
| Road class | County road |
| County | Nord-Trøndelag |
| Police Disctrict | Nord-Trøndelag |
| Vehicle type | Other, Passenger car |
| Type of Transportation | Transfer work/assignment |
| Road region | Central Region |
| Accident category | Ulykke m/ kjøretøy over 7500 kg |