Road safety
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for drafting legislation concerning road safety.
Efforts are made to reduce the number of head-on collisions on main roads with median barriers, develop driver training and improve the road safety of children, young adults and the elderly. One aim is also to expand the network of pedestrian and cycle routes.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications cooperates with other ministries to combat drunken driving and develop traffic control.
Improvements to road safety are made in accordance with the Government resolution from 2006. The Government transport policy report (2008) confirms targets and key measures for improving road safety. The long-term aim is that in 2025, the number of road accident fatalities is less than 100.
Road safety work makes use of information and communications technology in in-vehicle applications, variable traffic management, and road condition information, for example.
1. Administrative branch
The key players in the field of road safety within the Ministry's administrative branch are the Finnish Transport Agency, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency and Liikenneturva (the central organisation for Finnish traffic safety work).
The Finnish Transport Agency is responsible for road design, construction and maintenance, and for road and traffic signs.
The responsibilities of the Finnish Transport Safety Agency include vehicle registration, supervision of driving schools and driving licence operations, and organisation of matters related to vehicle inspection. The agency’s responsibilities also include campaigning for road and traffic safety.
Liikenneturva campaigns for road and traffic safety, disseminates information, contributes to road safety education for various age groups and provides further training for drivers.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications participates in, e.g. the Eläköön traffic safety campaign and the Travel Peace campaign by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL).
2. Traffic rules and regulations
Traffic rules and regulations are laid down in the Road Traffic Act. Their purpose is to improve road safety and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. In developing traffic rules and regulations, the great variety of vehicles and means of mobility are taken into account. Attention is also given to the needs of different age groups and special groups, such as people with restricted mobility.