Danish mayors urge for safety improvements on accident-prone road following fatal crash

The safety of a specific stretch of road between Lillerød and Hillerød in North Zealand, Denmark is so poor that four local mayors are strongly urging both the Road Directorate and the Ministry of Transport to address the issues. This plea comes in the wake of a fatal traffic accident on Saturday morning that claimed the lives of three people, including a couple whose two children were seriously injured and subsequently placed on life support.

A 33-year-old man, believed to have been racing in the early morning, also died in the accident. A 24-year-old man is currently in custody for reckless driving on the stretch, which is part of an extension of Hillerød Motorway.

“We fear that more accidents will occur. It’s actually a very simple message we’re conveying here, where we’re asking to focus on making it as safe as possible,” says Bent Hansen, Mayor of Gribskov Municipality, who is a co-author of the letter to the Road Directorate and the Ministry of Transport.

The mayors of the three other municipalities supporting the call are Hillerød, Furesø and Allerød.

Saturday’s accident is not the only incident prompting the mayors’ concerns. Other serious accidents have occurred in the same location in recent years. Therefore, the four mayors suggest more focus on speed regulation, increased surveillance or attempts to regulate lanes on the extension that is being converted to a motorway.

“We’re worried that not enough is being done in connection with the establishment of the Hillerød Motorway. We think it’s important that a lot is done for safety at the same time,” says Bent Hansen.

The conversion of the Hillerød Motorway extension from a motor traffic road to a motorway has already begun. However, this work will take two to three years, and the four mayors are concerned about more accidents on the already accident-prone road during this period.

The Road Directorate responded by stating they are already working on increasing safety and will consider the possibility of increased speed control and other measures.