Midsummer traffic is expected to be most intense on Thursday. But the most serious accidents usually happen on the way home. Be rested when you get behind the wheel, urges Bengt Olsson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
With ring dancing, nubbe and herring in sight, upwards of two million vehicles are expected to take to the roads during the midsummer weekend.
The traffic will start in earnest after lunch on Thursday, to calm down somewhat in the evening, according to the Swedish Transport Administration. Many shorter trips are also made on Midsummer Eve.
Bigger safer
As usual, the E4 will be a pulse for long-distance travel. During midsummer, more traffic than usual is expected in the Mälardal area up towards Dalarna and the traditional midsummer celebrations in the Siljan area – for example on highways 50 and 70 and E16 from Gävle.
– The closer you get to Siljan, the narrower the roads become. Then you can count on some queues, says Bengt Olsson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
More traffic than usual is also expected on the E4 towards Sundsvall and along the east coast, as well as towards the Åre area.
In the southern parts of the country, the E22 from Norrköping down towards Kalmar is a classic in these contexts, according to Bengt Olsson.
– On the one hand, there are interchanges with a two plus one road, so there is usually a bit of a queue on the E22. If it hasn’t happened, it definitely will on the Ölandsbron.
Above Gothenburg
As for the slightly shorter journey, many people are expected to travel on parts of the E6 from Malmö up towards Strömstad. There are many popular summer resorts along the way.
– Above all, there are always a few challenges when you drive out on smaller roads that take you to, for example, Båstad, Halmstad, Tylösand or Falkenberg. It gets even worse when you get above Gothenburg. There the roads are quite narrow and quite curvy. You have to be prepared that you are not alone.
However, Bengt Olsson insists that one should not avoid the larger, busier roads in midsummer. Often they are also the safest.
– Even though there is a lot of traffic, all European roads swallow a lot. Above all, the strength of the larger road network is that it is separated by junctions. It is head-on collisions that are absolutely the most dangerous, he says.
Accidental journey home
Last year, six people died in midsummer traffic. In addition, 190 people were seriously or slightly injured, according to figures from the Swedish Transport Agency.
Thursday is precisely the day when most accidents with personal injuries usually occur. Last year there were 50 accidents in which at least one person was injured.
– But the most serious accidents have happened on the return journey if we look back. The traffic is not as dense then, but be rested when you sit behind water and don’t be too hard on the gas pedal, says Bengt Olsson.
Fact: Consider this before driving
Start the journey in good time. The journey may take longer than usual if there is a lot of traffic. Start earlier instead of driving faster.
Choose meeting-free routes as far as possible.
Be rested, always drive sober and take regular breaks. If it’s hot – bring water to drink.
Do not drive faster than the speed limits.
Wear a seat belt, keep your distance and don’t use your mobile phone while driving.
Source: Swedish Transport Agency