Midsummer traffic will start towards the end of the week. Fintraffic, the police, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, the Finnish Road Safety Council, the Emergency Response Centre Agency, and the Ministry of the Interior Department for Rescue Services wish you a safe Midsummer on the road. Drivers should remember to anticipate, only drive when they are fit to do so and take their time during this Midsummer. Check the road traffic forecasts and roadworks now and review what to do in accident situations.
Midsummer is one of the busiest times of the year on the roads. As usual, the police will be monitoring the driving habits and fitness of drivers during Midsummer traffic. They will also carry out traditional alcohol breath tests throughout the Midsummer period.
“Many are travelling to their summer cottage or a Midsummer party, often a long way away. There will be a large amount of traffic, and the pace of travel may slow down in some places. During your trip, focus on calm progress instead of rushing to your destination. Overtaking will usually not save you much time if any, but the related risks are great. A calm driving style, breaks, and anticipation will make the journey safer for everyone,” says Police Inspector Kari Onninen.
Anticipate unexpected situations
In traffic, anticipation is the best way to reduce surprises and risks. In Midsummer traffic, when there are cars enough cars to form long queues, this becomes even more pronounced.
“The anticipation begins with ensuring sufficient safety distances, but it also involves a lot more, such as adapting speed to traffic and road conditions and avoiding unnecessary overtaking,” says Sanna Piilinen, Head of Road Traffic Management Centre at Fintraffic.
A driver who anticipates will also focus entirely on actual driving while driving, as the risk of accidents increases significantly if concentration slips.
“Messaging, reaching for your phone or searching for items while driving will shift your eyes off traffic and double the risk of accidents,” continues Petri Jääskeläinen, Planner at the Finnish Road Safety Council.
Anticipation is already visible during the preparation of a trip: When setting off on the road, it is important to ensure that the vehicle is in good condition and that luggage is packed safely.
“Before traveling, it is advisable to check at least the tread depth and tyre pressure of your vehicle’s tyres and ensure that there is enough coolant and washer fluid. In addition, luggage must be packed in the car so that the heaviest items are at the bottom and all loose items are placed firmly in place so that they cannot move even in unexpected situations while driving,” lists Inkeri Parkkari, Chief Adviser at Traficom.
Review what to do in the event of an accident
Before setting off on your Midsummer holiday, it's a good idea to remind yourself of what to do in the event of an accident. It is also a good idea to check that your vehicle has a first aid kit and a reflective vest, as these make it possible to give first aid and for helpers to be visible.
Road users have a duty to call for help and to assist others in the event of an accident.
“If you notice a traffic accident, stop in a safe place and turn on your vehicle's hazard lights. Always pay attention to your own safety and move to the accident site along the side of the road. Try to prevent additional damage by turning off the vehicle involved in the accident and by warning other traffic. Call 112 to ask to ask for help and then assist injured people to the best of your ability. Place the warning triangle a sufficient distance away from the accident site and remember to take passing traffic into account. If professional help is already present at the accident site, focus on passing the accident site safely, reduce your driving speed by a sufficient amount and remember that recording or photographing an accident site is forbidden,” says Juha Virolainen, Senior Inspector at the Ministry of the Interior Department for Rescue Services.
In addition, the Emergency Response Centre Agency encourages drivers to download the 112 Suomi app to assist in the event of emergencies or other problems.
“When an emergency report is made directly from the scene of an accident, the exact location and correct information about the situation are transmitted to the emergency response centre. This makes it possible to send the most appropriate help and provide life-saving instructions,” advises Jarmo Salonen, Senior Specialist at the Emergency Response Centre Agency.
Midsummer congestion forecasts: see times and places
Outbound traffic: According to road traffic forecasts by Fintraffic's road traffic management centre, outbound Midsummer traffic will already begin to pick up on Wednesday 18 June when road traffic volumes will gradually start to rise towards the evening. However, on Wednesday evening, traffic volumes will be only slightly higher than they would be during normal evening traffic.
The busiest day for outbound traffic is Thursday (19 June.): In Southern Finland, traffic will start to increase after 11 a.m. Traffic will be at its peak between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and heavy traffic continue long into the evening. In Northern Finland, outbound traffic will be heavy until late into the evening.
- Queues may form during the busiest part of the day, and on the busiest stretches of road, speeds may momentarily drop by as much as 20–30 km/h.
- According to the forecasts, the greatest drops in speed will be seen on the exit routes of large urban regions, highway 4 Helsinki-Jyväskylä, highway 5 Lusi-Juva, highway 6 Loviisa-Luumäki, highway 3 Hämeenlinna and highway 9 Tampere-Jyväskylä. Queuing may also occur at ferry stops on the shores in the archipelago.
Outbound traffic will continue on Friday morning (20 June), but it will slow down in the early afternoon.
Return traffic: According to forecasts by Fintraffic’s road traffic centre, return traffic will begin to pick up on the morning of Sunday 22 June and continue to be busy in Southern Finland until evening. Traffic volumes will be at their peak between 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm. Return traffic volumes will be clearly lighter than outbound traffic volumes. However, momentary queues and speed reductions are still possible in return traffic as well.
Check roadworks in advance and avoid traffic jams
Although an effort is made to improve the flow of Midsummer traffic by interrupting some of the work, reduced speed limits at roadworks sites and exceptional traffic arrangements may still slow down travel.
On highway 4 to the north of Jyväskylä, traffic has been directed on to a detour via regional road 624. On highway 3 south of Hämeenlinna, bridge work will slow down traffic heading north. Bridge work on regional road 180 in Pargas will also cause delays.
Up-to-date information on roadworks on main roads is available on the Fintraffic website.
