Report on head-on collision on the E6 road near Hammer in Snåsa municipality 2 February 2020

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road by Hammer in Snåsa on
2 February 2020 has found that the accident occurred on a section of road described in the operations contract as a ‘priority road section’ for winter road maintenance. The contractors had nonetheless not documented any procedures for following up the road surface conditions on the section. The investigation has shown that the contractors’ preparation of procedures for following up road surface conditions on priority sections has not been followed up or quality assured by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, through operations contracts, ensure that contractors follow up road surface conditions on priority road sections in winter, and establish internal procedures for ensuring follow-up of this contractual requirement.

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road by Hammer in Snåsa on
2 February 2020 has shown that the contractors have kept a record of special incidents on the road network in accordance with requirements in the operations contract. The investigation has shown that the records contain insufficient information about what measures have been implemented in connection with the incidents. In connection with the accident, the main contractor has only noted ‘FYI’ as a measure in the records. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority considers that the contractors’ record of special incidents on the road network constitutes insufficient documentation under the contractual requirement.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration establish internal procedures for ensuring follow-up of contractual requirements relating to records of special incidents on the road network, and for ensuring that special incidents on the road network constitute a special follow-up point in connection with winter road maintenance.

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road by Hammer in Snåsa on
2 February 2020 has shown that the contractors have kept a record of special incidents on the road network in accordance with requirements in the operations contract. The investigation has shown that the records contain insufficient information about what measures have been implemented in connection with the incidents. In connection with the accident, the main contractor has only noted ‘FYI’ as a measure in the records. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority considers that the main contractor should carry out internal evaluations of winter road maintenance in light of road traffic accidents that occur on the road network during winter.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Veidekke Industri AS carry out measures in its own organisation that ensure evaluation and learning from winter road maintenance in light of serious incidents and road traffic accidents that occur during winter in the area covered by the contract.

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road near Hammer in Snåsa on 2 February 2020 has revealed that the contractors have not fulfilled contractual requirements relating to systematic control of the road network, documentation of work performed and of the winter friction level, as well as the contents of the contractors’ ‘winter plan’ and ‘record of special incidents on the road network’. The investigation has shown that, over and above construction meetings, and possible spot checks and friction measurements, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has not established any other systematic activities for the purpose of following up contractual winter maintenance requirements.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration review and enhance internal quality assurance procedures to ensure adequate follow-up of contractual winter maintenance requirements.

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road near Hammer in Snåsa on 2 February 2020 has revealed that, prior to the accident, multiple road users notified the Traffic Control Centre (VTS) of challenging road surface conditions on the road network covered by the same contract area for winter road maintenance as the accident site. VTS did not forward these reports, however. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority considers that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration must ensure that road user reports concerning road surface conditions on the road network during winter are effectively addressed. Furthermore, road users should also be able to expect the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, as construction client and road owner, to systematically safeguard the interests of road users.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration improve its internal procedures for cooperation with VTS and the contractors involved in winter road maintenance, as the basis for systematic follow-up of reports concerning road surface conditions.

The investigation of the head-on collision on the E6 road near Hammer in Snåsa on 2 February 2020 has identified shortcomings in the contractors’ planning, implementation, documentation and follow-up of operational measures, and in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s follow-up of winter road maintenance. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority has identified similar shortcomings in winter road maintenance in several previous investigations. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the contractors that perform winter road maintenance services seem to have a potential for improvement when it comes to cooperating and sharing experience across regions, and establishing systems that can improve winter road maintenance both regionally and nationally. In this context, the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority believes that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration should increasingly facilitate national learning from winter road maintenance.

The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration draw up guidelines for the evaluation of winter road maintenance as a basis for a systematic assessment of serious incidents and road traffic accidents that occur on the road network during winter.