In Finland's driving rules and penalty points system are designed to promote safe driving and maintain order on the roads. Here’s a detailed overview of the key rules and how the penalty points system works in Finland:
Key Driving Rules in Finland:
General Traffic Rules:
- Drive on the right: Finland drives on the right-hand side of the road.
- Seat belts: Mandatory for all passengers, including those in the rear seats.
- Speed limits:
- Urban areas: 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated.
- Highways: 80-100 km/h, depending on road conditions.
- Motorways: Typically 120 km/h in the summer and 100 km/h in winter, unless otherwise indicated.
- Winter tires: Mandatory from November 1 to March 31 (or later, depending on weather conditions). In extreme conditions, studded tires may also be used.
- Headlights: Must be used at all times, even during daylight.
- Alcohol limit: The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. Strict penalties apply for drink-driving, including fines, driving bans, and imprisonment for higher BAC levels.
Pedestrian Priority: Pedestrians have the right of way at marked crosswalks, and drivers must stop for them.
Traffic Signs and Signals: Standard international traffic signs and signals are used. It is important to follow these strictly to avoid penalties.
Use of Mobile Phones: Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless using a hands-free device.
Overtaking: Overtaking is allowed only on the left, and special care should be taken on narrow roads or during poor weather conditions.
Cyclists: Cyclists have their own lanes and should be respected by motorists.
Penalty Points System in Finland:
Finland has a penalty points system to deter traffic offenses and improve road safety. Points are added to a driver’s record based on the severity of the offense. Accumulating too many points can lead to the suspension of the driving license. Here’s how it works:
Types of Violations and Points:
- Speeding:
- Slight speeding: 1-2 points.
- Excessive speeding: 3-4 points.
- Failure to give way to pedestrians: 2 points.
- Ignoring a red light: 3 points.
- Illegal overtaking: 2-3 points.
- Not wearing a seatbelt: 1 point.
- Using a mobile phone while driving (without hands-free): 1 point.
- Drink-driving:
- For BAC between 0.05% and 0.12%, penalties may include fines and suspension of the license (no points).
- For BAC over 0.12%, fines, license suspension, and possible imprisonment (severe cases may lead to points if other traffic rules are violated).
- Speeding:
Consequences of Accumulating Points:
- If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a two-year period, their driving license is suspended.
- For new drivers (those who have had their license for less than two years), the threshold is lower: a suspension occurs after accumulating 6 points.
- Once a license is suspended, the driver may need to undergo a driving retest, and in some cases, participate in a driver improvement course before being allowed to drive again.
Points Expiry:
- Penalty points are generally valid for two years from the date of the offense. After this period, the points are removed from the driver’s record.
Fines:
- Fines in Finland are often based on income, meaning higher-income individuals pay more for traffic violations. The idea behind this is to ensure penalties are equitable across the population.
Serious Offenses:
- For more serious offenses, such as dangerous driving, drunk driving, or severe speeding violations, the penalties can include not only fines and points but also imprisonment and long-term license suspension.
Conclusion:
Finland's driving rules are strict, with particular attention paid to safety, especially in the winter months when road conditions are harsh. The penalty points system is designed to encourage responsible driving by penalizing repeated offenses, and the income-based fines ensure that all drivers, regardless of economic background, feel the consequences of their actions. Keeping within the rules and understanding the penalty system is essential for maintaining a clean driving record in Finland and for details please visit respective website.