Time to put your foot down
Once again, we witness reckless and deadly behavior in Alta traffic. It could end up terribly wrong for young people at the start of life – and hope is once again that the young people themselves, the parents and the local community take the situation seriously. Preferably jointly. When the Russian cars get a tail hanger of ATVs, expanses and moped cars, it may seem like all reason evaporates. It all escalates to traffic Russian roulette, which sooner or later turns into tragedy.
When as many as ten people have to be followed up by the health care system in one accident, two must be sent by air ambulance to hospital, everyone realizes that the foot must be lowered. The police are allowed to take care of the distribution of guilt and the sanctions after the two accidents this weekend, but the whole culture is so extensive, that it is natural for the order of order to go in with extraordinary resources and sets of measures that are within the laws and regulations allow.
What is described by involved is more reminiscent of playful behavior that can affect everyone, even completely random and innocent road users. They are also entitled to protection. This is no arena for « gaming », race or dumb play, it is the world of reality that can end with lifelong sorrow, want and despair. As so many times before, we must appeal to common sense and vettuge attitudes in traffic, where risky passing, inadequate light use and speed play ceases. The reality is also that the vehicles are fragile in the encounter with other, heavier vehicles.
Slightly independent of vehicles, it may appear that the city is towing an attitude problem that only persists. Summer and winter. Nor must we be historyless. We have had the same concern when it comes to the moped culture and snowmobiles for many years, so it is about ingrained trivialization.
We think that what happened this weekend, in reality, acts as applications that the Alta community and the authorities must consider whether confidence is in place. There is no human right to drive as a 16-year-old and there is no human right to drive a Russian car, even though it is technically approved.
The police and courts have enough to do, but the need for even more prevention, active control regime and tougher penalties should be a topic. So far, little has worked.
We think it is commendable that the politicians in a flock became involved after the weekend’s disturbing events. The fact that the police, Trygg Trafikk and others with authority come on the field early and resolutely show that it is taken seriously, then the question becomes what one can do.
It is also commendable that over many years Finnmark football circuit has been committed to securing Russian cars and the safe mop director. Now we need a safe framework for behavior with ATVs, UTT and moped cars.
Above all, it is possible for parents to put their foot down, simply because you are too happy in their teenage children to run this risk.
Rolf Edmund Lund
Responsible editor
