Outbound Christmas traffic will soon fill the roads. Now is a good time to review the basics of safe Christmas travel. Fintraffic, the National Police Board, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, the Ministry of the Interior Department for Rescue Services, the Emergency Response Centre Agency and the Finnish Road Safety Council want to wish everyone safe and peaceful Christmas travels.
Christmas traffic forecasts
This year, Christmas traffic will spread over a longer period than normal, as Christmas holidays fall in the middle of the week.
According to the Christmas traffic forecasts by Fintraffic’s road traffic centre, outbound traffic will begin to crowd the main roads on the evening of Thursday 19 December and will continue until the start of the Christmas week. The roads are expected to be the busiest on Saturday 21 December. The busiest roads are expected to be Highway 4 (Helsinki-Jyväskylä), Highway 4 (Oulu), Highway 5 (Lusi-Heinola) and Highway 5 (Kuopio). Tourist destinations in Lapland will also have significantly more traffic than usually.
The busiest day in return traffic will fall on Boxing Day on 26 December. The busiest road sections will be Highway 4 (Lusi-Lahti) and Highway 5 (Mikkeli-Lusi). Saturday 28 December is predicted to be the second main travel day for return traffic which will be particularly visible in the traffic volumes in Northern Finland.
‘Outbound traffic is spread out over several days this Christmas, which will clearly decrease traffic jams. However, when planning your trip, keep in mind that during Christmas, traffic is mostly affected by the current weather and road conditions, so check them in advance especially if you have a long drive,’ says Eero Sauramäki, Head of Fintraffic's Road Traffic Management Centre.
You can check traffic jams, bulletins, road conditions and winter maintenance on your route on the Fintraffic Mobile app. The Finnish Meteorological Institute compiles weather forecasts and prevailing weather warnings on its website.
Well-rested driver and the two S tactic
As usual, the police will monitor outbound and return Christmas traffic throughout the country. Particular attention is paid to driving speeds, safe distances, overtaking and driving under the influence. The police also emphasise the importance of a well-rested driver.
‘Since outbound and return traffic is expected to spread over several days this Christmas, it may be a good idea to re-consider when to leave: Should you start driving right after a long week or day at work into the darkening night, or should you take a night off at home and only leave in the morning in daylight, after breakfast, refreshed and with good Christmas cheer? Driving with the flow of traffic in varying weather conditions requires particular concentration, which is why it is also best to plan suitable rest stops in advance where you can stretch your legs and get a cup of coffee,’ says Chief Superintendent Kari Onninen from the National Police Board.
This year, the Finnish Road Safety Council would also like to highlight the “two S tactic”: suitable speed and safe distances allow you to travel safely even in poor weather.
‘At a lower speed, the driver has more time to observe. This also helps you stop faster and control your vehicle better. In winter conditions, the safe distance should be twice as long as in the summer, and when the roads are icy, even longer. Driving too close to another car can lead to a rear-end collision and, at worst, a pile-up,’ says Eini Karvonen, Communications Manager at the Finnish Road Safety Council.
Have the right equipment
Preparing for Christmas travel in advance improves the safety and smoothness of your trip. Jussi Pohjonen, Head of Unit at Traficom, points out that it is important to ensure that the car has everything you need in case of surprises and that your baggage is packed safely.
‘In winter, it is a good idea to make sure that the car has everything you need for surprises and that your luggage is packed correctly and safely. Before your trip, check that the tyres have sufficient tread and air pressure. Make sure that the lights work properly and the windscreen washing fluid can withstand subzero temperatures. You should also pack warm clothes, a torch, a snowbrush, an ice scraper and a backup power supply for long trips.’
It is important to pay attention to how you pack your car also during Christmas: put heavy goods in the bottom of the boot and close to the backrest of the back seat. It is essential that you can still see through the rear window, so if you have a lot of luggage, a ski box can be a convenient addition.
‘A well-prepared car and careful packing help ensure that your Christmas travel is safe and stress-free,’ Jussi Pohjonen continues.
What to do in an accident
Driving in winter increases the risk of traffic accidents. To ensure correct and safe action in an accident, it is important that everyone knows what to do.
First at the scene of the accident - this is what you should do:
Turn on your vehicle's hazard lights and stop in a safe place. Move along the shoulder of the road to the site of the accident. Help to prevent further accidents by turning off the vehicle involved in the accident and by warning other traffic. In all situations, don’t forget to consider other passing vehicles.
‘Place the warning triangle a sufficient distance away from the accident site, contact emergency services and help those who are injured to the best of your ability. Don’t forget your own safety, and always wear a reflector vest on the road if you have one,’ instructs Tommi Luhtaniemi, Senior Inspector at the Ministry of the Interior Department for Rescue Services.
The Emergency Response Centre Agency would also remind you of the 112 Suomi application. When you make an emergency call through the app, your exact location is transmitted directly to the Emergency Response Centre and ensures that help arrives quickly.
‘When you call 112, answer the questions and follow the instructions. It’s difficult for the dispatcher to assess the need for assistance and the location of the accident if the person who reported the accident has driven past it without stopping. Remember that we are all under the duty to help,’ says Tommi Hopearuoho, Development Manager from the Emergency Response Centre Agency.
If rescue work is in progress, overtake safely:
If the authorities have already arrived at the accident site, focus on overtaking the site safely, i.e. slow down and follow the instructions. Do not take photos or video of the accident.
