A car passing on the highway. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Helsinki daycares introduce new strategy to tackle early childhood bullying
Finnish traffic police have raised concerns over a growing habit on the country’s motorways: shifting to the left lane to make room for merging traffic. Though widely seen as polite, the move contradicts traffic laws and creates avoidable hazards, according to authorities.
Motorway drivers in Finland often move left when approaching vehicles entering from acceleration lanes. While the intention is to ease merging, this manoeuvre can disrupt the flow of high-speed traffic and lead to collisions.
Police Inspector Tuomo Katajisto from the National Police Board’s traffic safety division said the behaviour has become widespread, and problematic.
“This practice teaches merging drivers to expect that others will make way. That’s not how it should work. The responsibility lies with the driver entering the motorway, who must adjust their speed and maintain safe distance,” Katajisto said.
Finnish traffic law clearly states that merging drivers must yield. The law does not support routine left-lane shifts by through traffic to accommodate incoming vehicles.
A Helsingin Sanomat observation on the Lahdenväylä motorway in northern Helsinki recorded 25 such lane changes over the course of one hour. On average, this meant a driver changed lanes every two minutes. Brake lights were frequently seen flashing during the test period.
According to Katajisto, motorists on the main road should stay in their lane and, if necessary, slow down gradually when a merging car appears to be forcing its way in. Only if the left lane is clearly free should a lane change be considered.
“I would brake gently rather than switch lanes, unless I’m certain the left lane is clear,” he said.
The right lane must be used unless overtaking or following specific signs, such as those marking the end of the motorway.
Katajisto said many merging drivers now turn on their indicator and expect others to move aside. This is a result, he said, of the left-lane yielding culture becoming embedded over time.
If merging drivers fail to reach the proper speed or stop at the end of the acceleration lane, the situation can become dangerous. Katajisto emphasised that drivers joining the motorway must match the traffic speed before the merge.
“You need to have the judgement and confidence to raise your speed to match the flow, but not exceed it,” he said.
While police will not fine drivers for yielding in a clear emergency, Katajisto warned that unnecessary lane changes at speed can cause more harm than good.
“This is not about robotic enforcement. Every situation is assessed individually. But the key is keeping your lane and your distance.”
HT
- Next Article Helsinki daycares introduce new strategy to tackle early childhood bullying
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
