The government has proposed a new motor traffic law, presented at 11:45 today, to modernize the current legislation from 1977. The new law will allow new vehicles such as electric bicycles and terrain-capable electric wheelchairs. Penalties will be significantly increased for serious violations that damage nature, with up to two years in prison.
Municipalities will get increased authority to create trails for snowmobiles and off-road driving, but they will also be held more accountable regarding motor traffic in outlying fields. The state will set frameworks and limits for important natural areas. Norwegian municipalities often break the law and make major mistakes when deciding to develop nature.
The new law aims for more equal treatment between south and north Norway. Finnmark and North Troms have long had a more liberal regulatory framework and more snowmobile trails than the rest of the country. The law will be technology-neutral and regulate new vehicles that may appear.
Regular bicycles cannot be ridden everywhere; in forest areas and lowlands, one must stay on paths according to the Outdoor Recreation Act. In related legislative proposals, the government has proposed changes to the Pollution Control Act and the Climate Quota Act to regulate CO2 transport and storage. The government has also proposed a new law giving police and PST access to covert camera surveillance using drones and vehicles.
The most intrusive surveillance will require prior court approval. Public behavior shows current law-breaking patterns. Tonje Lilleås and her family are outdoors in Hamar nature almost daily, and she often breaks the law with her motorized vehicle.
Anders Nupen Hansen from Kongsvinger regularly breaks the law when going into nature with his vehicle. Anne Hagenborg (Ap) from Søndre Land sits in the Storting and the committee that will handle the law proposal during the spring.