After participating in Safedrive Reward for just under a month, Lars Ketil Mikkelsen from Tromsø was selected as the winner of the month and was paid NOK 100,000. But the winnings don't stop there.
When the police experienced increasing speeding and reckless winter driving in the city center in 2021, they took the initiative for organized driving on the track. Safedrive supported the initiative from the beginning. This year, the success was repeated, and on Saturday, February 21, around a hundred car enthusiasts gathered in Raabakken.
Nathaniel Otterbekk Kjelbotn (13) in action on the winter track at Raabakken Motorstadion. The event was a collaboration between Namdal Motorklubb, Safedrive and local contractors – with support from the police. Photo: Eivind Stuevold
The event is a collaboration between NMK Namdal, local contractors MK Maskin and Berre Entreprenør, the police and Safedrive. The first time this was carried out was in 2021. The police then learned that the log was filling up with complaints about reckless driving, gossiping and noise in the city center areas.
– When the police take such an initiative, we support it. It is very positive that the police, especially in a time with few activities and offers for young people, are able to provide such an offer. It is preventive and preventative that the young drivers can practice and get to know vehicles on a track. Here they can develop themselves and wreak havoc, says Magnus Wester, founder and CEO of Safedrive.
Police contact Åge Ivar Dille confirms to Namdalsavisa that the situation is different this year.
– We noticed it well in 2021, but this year it has been quite calm. We mostly get messages if something is happening, but now people are driving nicely, says Dille, who adds:
– Although we cannot argue with research that says that track driving directly reduces damage, it is undoubtedly important to get training in handling a car on slippery roads.
There was speed, sledding and some trips to the edge of the snow during the ride on Raabakken. Photo: Eivind Stuevold
This year, the recruitment drive was expanded through the “NextGen” class. Children as young as 12 years old were given the opportunity to get behind the wheel. First, they had to complete a course to qualify and drove cars with smaller engines in a lower class. The aim was to give them a unique opportunity to learn car handling and gain driving experience early on.
– We have never driven on real winter roads before. It was very slippery, but a lot of fun, said Nathaniel Otterbekk Kjelbotn (13) from Bangdalen and Storm Toresen (12) from Skage when they were interviewed by Namdalsavisa .
– Motorcycling has become an important hobby. In the past year we have raced in Mosjøen, in Verdal and at Hell. It is a very good environment and we think it is great that the track here in Overhalla is being opened for some test driving, said dad Kai.
Working to create safer traffic is not necessarily the opposite of speed and fun. Dialogue and facilitation with target groups that are highly represented in the injury statistics is some of the most important work being done to create safer traffic.
– We also want the club to be left with a few kroner when they act as the organizer, and when so many from the club volunteer, says Wester, and continues:
– We cover the entire event and ensure that participants get the offer for free. But the condition is that drivers commit to staying in control on public roads and instead have fun with their cars here at the stadium.
