The Norwegian Public Roads Administration also took notice. While the truck’s signage proclaimed, “we are not afraid of hazardous waste,” the agency worried about potential distractions to drivers and intervened.

Senior engineer Tomislav Jajcinovic at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration stated, “We where contacted by a private person about the parked truck. The Road administration’s Department of Operations and maintenance contacted the company that owns the car and asked them to stop parking there.”

He clarified that while the vehicle was parked on a municipal road under the jurisdiction of the City Environment Agency in Bergen municipality, the visibility from the E39 prompted the Road Administration to take action.

Jajcinovic added, they “did not perceive that the location was chosen to advertise,” but, “Nevertheless, the location is perceived as unfortunate because the advertisement can be distracting for road users traveling on the E39.”

Nevertheless,the location is perceived as unfortunate because the advertisement can be distracting for road users traveling on the E39.

Franzefoss Responds

Franzefoss denied any intention of advertising with the parked truck.

Communications manager Nina Zimmer at Franzefoss stated, “we are aware of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s guidelines, and it has not been our intention to advertise. She says that they have not experienced problems related to the rules on advertising along roads in the past.”

Zimmer explained that the truck bears the Franzefoss logo because it operates on their behalf, but it is owned by a subcontractor with a hired driver.

“We have asked our subcontractor to move the vehicle,” Zimmer confirmed.

Regulations on Roadside Advertising

Norwegian law, specifically Section 33 of the Guide Act, generally prohibits advertising that is placed along roads and is intended to be seen by drivers, unless the advertising is on the company’s premises. violators might potentially be ordered to remove the advertisement at their own expense.

Jajcinovic noted that each case of roadside advertising is evaluated individually, “It is assessed in accordance with section 33 of the Guide Act and provisions given in our Handbook V323 Advertising and traffic hazards.”

Even if the intention isn’t advertising,the Norwegian Public Roads Administration can demand removal if an advertisement poses a visibility obstruction,distraction,or source of confusion for traffic on national or European roads.

Focus on Cooperation

Despite the legal provision for charging removal costs, Jajcinovic emphasized a collaborative approach, “It should be the best possible collaboration with the advertisers to find good solutions that can safeguard all interests. Punishment should not be a central theme. The most crucial way of reaction to those who nevertheless settles is removal of the advertising, and holding back the material until the owner has paid the cost of removal and storage, he informs BA.”