A traffic survey conducted by Fintraffic reveals concern about climate change reflected in the attitudes Finns have towards transport. A clear majority strives to take environmental issues into account in their driving habits, but also before getting behind the wheel. Economical driving and avoiding unnecessary driving are among the most popular ways to consider the environment in traffic. People are also interested in cycling or walking in their daily life.
The majority of Finns take environmental issues into account in their transport habits as part of their choice and use of transport. In Fintraffic’s traffic survey, the most common way for drivers to be environmentally friendly is economical driving. Seventy per cent of the respondents said they always or almost always drive economically.
"In economical driving, it is possible to simultaneously take advantage of many ways of reducing the emissions from driving. Optimal speed and correct use of the gears and braking reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of the car while driving. In addition, avoiding frequent rapid acceleration and braking not only reduces emissions but also saves the chassis, the brakes and the tyres: If you are late, let the people in your destination know about it and drive along with the rest of the traffic instead of overtaking constantly. When the car is parked, emissions can be reduced by avoiding idling," explains Juha-Matti Muikku, Director of Safety, Quality and Environment at Fintraffic.
From the point of view of economical driving, the condition of the car and the load matter.
“Proper maintenance of the car, particularly of the engine, and correct tyre pressures support lower fuel consumption. It should also be remembered that weight increases consumption. You should not carry around extra objects in the car. And an empty ski box or roof rack also needlessly increases air resistance by up to one litre per 100 kilometres,” continues Muikku.
Nature and your wallet benefit from avoiding unnecessary driving
In addition to quality, quantity also plays a key role in reducing the environmental impacts of driving. Avoiding unnecessary driving is the other most popular way of driving in a more environmentally friendly way for those who responded to the Fintraffic survey. Fifty-seven per cent of the respondents always or almost always try to avoid unnecessary driving.
“I you plan the routes well and combine trips, you can achieve surprising savings. Unnecessary kilometres may accumulate before you even notice if you do not plan your driving," says Muikku.
Of the different professionals, farmers in particular highlight avoiding unnecessary driving in their responses the most clearly. Seventy-eight per cent of them report that they avoid unnecessary driving.
Regional differences revealed in the choice of transport
The responses to the survey reveal that public transport is naturally favoured most where it is available. The importance of low emissions in the choices of transport modes is emphasised most in the Helsinki region. Public transport is also clearly favoured more in Turku and Tampere than in the rest of Finland.
“Of course, the availability of public transport must also be taken into account in the responses, as it varies across Finland. I also encourage people to try electric bikes instead of driving. On an electronic bike, distances of a few kilometres can usually be done as fast as by car, and the journey is effortless, as if you are constantly cycling with a tailwind.”
Based on the survey, the majority of the respondents use the ways of more environmentally friendly driving in their everyday life instead of choosing other means of transport (26% always or almost always). More than a third (39%) always or almost always take environmental points of view into account when choosing the car. However, traditional walking still remains popular. A significant proportion, 50 per cent of the respondents, favour cycling or walking where possible.
The large traffic survey by Fintraffic was conducted nation-wide between 22 May 2023 and 25 May 2023. The survey was produced by Research Insight Finland. The survey had a total of 1021 respondents with an age range of 18 to 79 years. Respondent samples were weighted by age, gender and area of residence to represent their target groups.
