Safe Midsummer traffic: Keep these things in mind

Safe traffic during Midsummer depends on careful route planning, inspecting the condition of the car and trailer (if one is attached) before going on the road and, above all, a well rested, alert driver. There will be more traffic than usual on many sections of road than during an ordinary weekend, so be sure to reserve enough time for your trip.

This year, outward Midsummer traffic is expected to be at its busiest on the day before Midsummer Eve (Thursday, 24 June), as usual. Plenty of outward traffic is still expected on the morning of Midsummer Eve (Friday, 25 June), but significantly less than during the previous day. Return traffic will peak on Midsummer Sunday (Sunday, 27 June).

“When you’re heading out to enjoy Midsummer, you should plan your departure time and avoid the busiest hours, especially during the outward journey. In addition, it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance. For instance, routes on which roadworks are being carried out will most likely become congested. You can use Fintraffic’s Traffic Situation service to check traffic  volumes, average speeds and roadworks on the main roads. You should also keep an eye on the weather conditions – check the site of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, for instance,” says Eero Sauramäki, Head of the Road Traffic Management Centre at Fintraffic.

Midsummer traffic predictions:

Outward traffic will be at its busiest on Thursday, 24 June. However, more traffic than usual is also expected on Friday morning, and congestion may still occur at that time.

Outward traffic in Southern Finland will be at its busiest from noon to 19:00 on Thursday, 24 June. In the north, traffic may be busy for even longer. During the busiest times, traffic may become congested and driving speeds may be reduced. The greatest traffic volumes are on Highways 9 Tampere–Orivesi, 5 Lusi–Mikkeli and 4 Helsinki–Lusi.

Queues may form for the Turku archipelago ferries.

Return traffic will begin in the morning of Sunday, 27 June, remaining busy in Southern Finland until 20:00-22:00. Traffic may become congested especially on Highways 4 Jyväskylä–Helsinki, 5 Mikkeli–Lusi and 9 Orivesi–Tampere.

Roadworks may hinder traffic

Efforts will be made to minimise the effect of roadworks on Midsummer traffic. In spite of this, roadworks may cause lower speed limits and lane changes or closures, all of which slow down traffic.

Roadworks on main roads that might hinder traffic:

• Helsinki Metropolitan area: Highways 1, 3 and 4 and Main Road 45
• Highway 7 Porvoo, Harabacka junction
• Main Road 51 Siuntio
• Highway 3 Hämeenkyrö
• Highway 4 Lahti, Renkomäki junction
• Highway 4 between Kirri–Tikkakoski
• Highway 4 Viitasaari, Hännilänsalmi bridge
• Highway 5 Juva, Vehmaa interchange
• Highway 8, numerous roadworks between Masku–Pori
• Highway 24 between Lahti–Jämsä
• Main Road 40 Kaarina, the Ravattula, Tuulissuo and Kirismäki junctions
• Highway 4, numerous roadworks between Oulu–Kemi

For information on ongoing roadworks and other disruptions, check Fintraffic’s Traffic Situation service at liikennetilanne.fintraffic.fi. In addition to roadworks, the service provides information on road traffic disruptions, traffic volumes, electric car charging points and natural gas vehicle filling stations.

Drive only when you’re well rested

This Midsummer, the Finnish Road Safety Council hopes that only those motorists who are fit to drive will get behind the wheel. Mia Koski, a planner at the Finnish Road Safety Council, emphasises that you must not drive when you are tired or unfit.

“Fatigue can creep up on you and take the wheel without your permission. You should think about your fitness to drive before you set out, especially in the case of a longer trip. Get a good night’s sleep before the trip, take enough breaks and plan the stages of the trip sensibly – this will make it not only safer, but also more pleasant. If you become tired on the road, have a cup of coffee and a fifteen-minute nap. That will help keep you going. You should also keep in mind that allergy medication can make you feel drowsy and drinking alcohol can lead to tiredness the day after, even if you no longer have alcohol in your bloodstream. As a passenger, you should be alert and ensure that the driver is not tired,” says Mia Koski.

Check the condition of the car

Even if you’re in a hurry to set off on your Midsummer holiday, you should take a few minutes to check the condition of your car. Wash the car windows inside and out and clean the windshield wipers with a cloth and glass cleaner.

You should also keep in mind that on Midsummer trips, you often end up packing more things than usual in your car – for this reason, it’s a good idea to check the tire pressure and inflate to the recommended PSI for a full load. Underinflated tires can easily lose lateral grip.

“And one more tip for drivers – clean, high-quality sunglasses enhance comfort and safety in traffic. Make sure that you can see your fellow road users in rain or shine,” says Otto Lahti, Chief Advisor at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

Are you hauling a trailer this Midsummer?

In Midsummer traffic, you see cars and vans hauling trailers. Boat sales have been hot, so we can also expect to see boat trailers on the road. If you’re hauling a trailer, pay particular attention to the condition of the trailer and proper loading before going on the road. In Midsummer traffic, remember to drive proactively at an appropriately safe speed.

“When hauling a trailer in busy traffic, you must drive calmly and avoid sudden movements. Set your driving speed according to factors such as your experience, the condition of the trailer, and the loading and weight of the car-trailer combination. Remember that the speed limit when driving with a light trailer – which has a total mass of no more than 750 kg – is 100 km/h, even when it is empty. The speed limit for heavier trailers with a total mass of no more than 3,500 kg is 80 km/h,” says Police Inspector Kari Onninen.

Checklist for those driving with a trailer:

Driver's licence requirements and maximum permitted trailer mass

• The vehicle should be driven by the most experienced motorist who is authorised to haul a trailer.
• You must check that the vehicle hauling the trailer is permitted to do so. This information can be found in the car registration certificate and Traficom’s My e-Services.

Checking the condition of the trailer

• Start checking the trailer by ensuring that the tires are in good shape and have the correct air pressure.
• Traffic enforcement often spots trailers with defective lights. So, before setting off on your trip, check that all the lights and indicators of the trailer are in working order.
• Also, always ensure that the trailer is securely locked on to the hitch and that you have attached the safety chain (if any) and raised the support wheel.

Loading the trailer

• You must secure the load with straps, for instance, even when using a trailer with a cover. When hauling an open trailer, you must also ensure that all loose items have been tied down and anything that might release dust has been covered.
• Start loading the trailer from the front so that the centre of gravity remains as low and close to the middle of the trailer as possible. Place the heaviest items on top of the axle. Finally, tie down the load securely. The maximum nose weight is 10 per cent of the mass permitted for the trailer axles (e.g. in the case of an O1 class 750 kg light trailer, max. 75 kg).

Other loading

• Within the length limits permitted for vehicles or vehicle combinations on the road, the load can extend a maximum of one metre in front of the vehicle and no more than two metres behind the rear of the vehicle. That said, a load that extends beyond the rear by even one metre must be marked with a red or red-and-yellow marker flag. Widthwise, the load may not extend over the sides or the load area.

Have a safe Midsummer on the road!