Report on chain collision on European route E16 in Lærdalen in Lærdal municipality 6 April 2018

The investigation of the chain collision in Lærdal on 6 April 2018 has found that the quality of the contractor’s decisions relating to operational measures, the implementation of operational measures, documentation of the road conditions and control measures were inadequate. In addition, the investigation has found that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration as the construction client has not sufficiently followed up and quality assured the contractor’s operational work. Like previous investigations, this investigation shows that there is a need for better follow up and quality assurance of winter operational work. In this context, the AIBN is of the opinion that new measures and solutions should be considered, including whether contractors should be accredited through third-party control.

The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration examine the possibility of establishing third-party control as a measure to raise the quality of operational work.