Outbound Christmas traffic will soon begin. Now is the right time to review the basics of safe Christmas traffic. 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 wish you a peaceful and safe journey!
Check the traffic forecasts and road conditions
This year, Christmas traffic will spread over a longer period than usual, as Christmas holidays fall in the middle of the week. According to Fintraffic’s Road Traffic Centre’s forecasts, the busiest day of outbound Christmas traffic will be Tuesday (23 December), when traffic in Southern Finland will increase at noon and continue to be busy until the evening.
“Outbound Christmas traffic will already begin to be visible on our roads at the end of this week. Outbound traffic is now pleasantly distributed over several weeks, which, according to forecasts, is also positively reflected in the peaks of the busiest day of traffic, next Tuesday. When pondering the best day for outgoing traffic, it is also good to consider the driving conditions in addition to traffic forecasts, especially if there are a little more kilometres ahead,” says Eero Sauramäki, Head of Unit at the Fintraffic Road Traffic Centre.
According to traffic forecasts, outbound traffic will already be visible on our main roads on the evening of Friday (19 December). On Saturday (20 December), traffic volumes are expected to increase, especially on the highways in Northern Finland. Even on Sunday (21 December), traffic will still be busier than normal, although traffic volumes will decrease towards the evening.
Return traffic will start on Boxing Day (26 December). The busiest day for return traffic will be Saturday (27 December.): Traffic will increase in Northern Finland from the morning and in Southern Finland from the afternoon, and it will continue to be heavy through the early evening. On Sunday (28 December), traffic will be even busier than on a regular Sunday, which will be particularly visible in afternoon traffic in Central Finland.
The busiest roads in Christmas traffic will be the exit routes in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Highway 4 from Helsinki to Heinola and in the Oulu region, and Highway 9 from Tampere to Jyväskylä. Tourist destinations in Lapland will also have significantly more traffic than usual.
You can check the traffic jams, traffic bulletins and road conditions on your route using the free Fintraffic Mobile app. The Finnish Meteorological Institute compiles weather forecasts and prevailing weather warnings on its website.
Rest before you leave and let go of the hurry on the road
This Christmas, too, the police will monitor outbound and return traffic throughout the country. Particular attention will be paid to driving speeds, safe distances, overtaking and driving under the influence. The police also want to emphasise the importance of a well-rested driver.
“The driver’s alertness and calm driving method that takes others into account are emphasised in the busy traffic during the Christmas season. You should only get behind the wheel well-rested and without hurry, as alertness and moderate speed are key factors for safely reaching your Christmas destination,” reminds Police Inspector Kari Onninen from the National Police Board.
Sami Kivilä, Training Instructor at the Finnish Road Safety Council, also highlights the importance of breaks: “On a long drive, it is beneficial to have more than one driver. This way, the most alert driver can be on duty. It is good to plan the schedule so that you can take proper breaks on the way. The best thing would be to think about the journey as part of the holiday. Christmas is unlikely to be ruined if the journey takes a little longer. The most important thing is that everyone gets there safely.”
Pay attention to the vehicle’s equipment
In winter, the condition of the car and the right equipment can play a major role. Christmas journeys are often longer, and a moment to check your car before you leave can help you avoid unpleasant surprises in the middle of the journey.
“Before leaving, make sure that all the lights are working and that you know how the light automation behaves in the dark and in snowfall. Check the condition and pressure of the tyres and that the wipers are working properly. If necessary, add freezing-resistant windshield washing liquid and make sure that the windows and cameras are clean,” says Inkeri Parkkari, Chief Adviser at Traficom.
It is important to pay attention to how you pack your car also during Christmas: put heavy goods at 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.
Review what to do in the event of an accident
Driving in winter and in the dark increase the risk of traffic accidents on highways. 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 spot. Then move along the shoulder of the road to the site of the accident. Help 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 passing vehicles.
“Call 112 for help immediately, and assist the injured persons to the best of your ability. Remember to place the warning triangle at a long enough distance from the accident site. Don’t forget your own safety, always wear a reflector vest on the road if you have one. In the event of an accident, act calmly and resolutely until the authorities arrive,” instructs Juha Virolainen, Senior Inspector at the Ministry of the Interior’s Department for Rescue Services.
Katri Kalliomäki, Communications Specialist at the Emergency Response Centre Agency, also reminds of the 112 Suomi application: “We encourage people to download the 112 Suomi application, which is preparedness similar to, for example, purchasing a fire blanket. In an emergency, you can call the emergency number 112 via the application, in which case your exact location will also be communicated to the emergency response centre when on the move. Get to know how to use the application and its range of services in advance, so you will know how to use it when you need it.”
If rescue work is in progress, overtake safely:
If the authorities have already arrived at the accident site, focus on overtaking the site safely: slow down and follow their instructions. Do not take photos or video of the accident.
