Reduced speed limits for the winter season will be introduced on the road throughout Finland from Thursday, but most of the changes will take effect next week, according to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA).
Speed limits on motorways and all medium roads are 100 km / h throughout the winter, as well as on other main roads where the lanes are clearly separated by obstacles.
In addition, the limit is also 100 km / h on some low-traffic roads, for example in Lapland.
The limit value for other main roads is reduced to 80 km / h (km / h) during the winter season, while on certain road sections the limit is reduced to 70 km / h.
According to the FTIA, lowering speed limits in the winter will save the lives of an estimated eight people each year and prevent injuries to several dozen others.
Fuel consumption, emissions are reduced
The agency also highlighted several other benefits to a reduced winter speed limit, including lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.
When announcing the changing boundaries, the FTIA further emphasized that the Finnish Road Traffic Act obliges every driver to take into account, among other things, the condition of the road, the weather, visibility and traffic conditions. Safe driving can therefore sometimes require a significantly lower speed than the speed limit sign allows.
Finland usually returns to summer speed limits at the turn of March-April, as the days lengthen and driving conditions improve.
Source: The Nordic Page