Large public events affect summer traffic – how to prepare for congestions and special traffic arrangements

Large public events and festivals affect summer-time traffic every year, as tens of thousands of people travel around Finland. Summer is also a busy season for road construction work around the country. Up-to-date traffic information, smart planning and a safe driving style help drivers avoid congestion during summer holidays and get everyone safely to their destinations.

The various summer events organised around the country will once again manifest themselves as increased traffic volumes and occasional congestion near event venues. Drivers are advised to take this into account when planning routes, whether they are going to attend the event or just passing by. The event organisers' websites usually have good instructions for arriving at the venue, which should be considered if you are planning to attend the most popular events.

"The largest summer events may cause temporary traffic jams around the venues. Real-time traffic data is easily available in the Fintraffic Mobile application and the Traffic Situation service, helping drivers prepare for higher traffic volumes well in advance. Reserving enough time for the journey will help you avoid unnecessary rush. Proactive driving style and appropriate travelling speed play a pivotal role in road safety," says Antti Haarala, Head of Digital at Fintraffic.

The Fintraffic Mobile application also provides information on road traffic interruptions and traffic congestions, road construction work, electric car charging points and gas refuelling stations. In addition, push notifications and location services provide drivers with immediate real-time data on any unusual circumstances in nearby traffic.

The app's convenient map view allows drivers to view the information that interests them most. The same information can also be found in the Fintraffic Traffic Situation online service, where users can also see more details of the busiest stretches of road.

Proactive and safe driving style required on the road

In addition to carefully planning the route, smooth and safe summer holiday traffic requires proactiveness and patience. While impatience to get to your destination may tempt you to put the pedal to the metal and overtake as many cars as possible, it is important to prioritise traffic safety also during the summer.

"You should only get behind the wheel well rested, and really focus on the driving. It is important to reserve enough time for the journey, so that there will be no need to rush, as it not only increases the risk of accidents, but also puts a damper on those leisurely summer vibes. It is also worth remembering that the summer festival season in particular will have many young drivers on the road who do not yet have that many kilometres under their belt. So let's all remember to observe safe distances and adopt a driving style that is based on mutual respect," reminds Eero Sauramäki, Head of Unit at Fintraffic's road traffic centre.

Keep safety in mind also when passing road construction sites

In addition to the events, summer is also peak season for road construction work. Drivers should always be prepared for exceptional traffic arrangements around construction sites. Through appropriate driving behaviour, each driver contributes to protecting himself or herself, other road users and people working on the road construction site.

"Slow down when passing a road construction site, be prepared to stop your vehicle if needed and observe the traffic signs and instructions from traffic control. Do not take risks when passing the site, even if there is no queue and the construction site seems quiet. In addition to people, heavy machinery may be used in the road construction site, and slower speeds are required for safety," reminds Sauramäki.

All road construction sites are displayed in the Traffic Situation service, both in the map and list views. In the map view, roadworks can be filtered according to the degree of effects. There are plenty of filtering options available in the list view as well, such as degree of effects and time.

Download the Fintraffic Mobile app from Apple Appstore or Google Play.