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Finland
Population: 5.28 million (2007)
Median age: 41 years
Life expectancy at birth: 79 years
Income group:a high
Gross national income per person: US$ 44 400 Rank: 7 of 49b
Human Development Index:c 0.954 Rank: 8 of 49b
Private car ownership per 1000 population:d 540.0
CO2 emissions (tonnes) per person per year:a 12.6
a
World Bank data.
b
Rank among the 49 countries in the WHO European Region participating in the survey.
c
United Nations Development Programme data.
d
WHO European Region average: 339.

Trends in road traffic deaths

16
Institutional framework for road safety Deaths per 100 000 population
14
Lead agency: Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland 12

Status of the agency Government 10

8
Funded in national budget Yes
6
National road safety strategy Yes
4
Measurable targets Yes 2
Implementation funded Yes 0
Money allocated (in ¤ (year)) No information 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007

Year
Source: Road Traffic Accidents 2007, Statistics Finland, Central Organization
for Traffic Safety in Finland
Key data Age-specific mortality rates from road traffic injuries
Reported number of road traffic 380a (73% males, 27% females) 35
deaths (2007) 30
Rates per 100 000 population

Reported number of non-fatal road traffic 8446b 25

injuries (2007)
20
Road traffic deaths involving alcohol 23.9%b
15 14.1 14.3
Wearing motorcycle helmets 95% Driversc 10.1
11.2
10
6.8
Using seat-belts in cars 5
6.0 6.7

1.8
Overall No information 0
1.0

Front-seat occupants 89% d 0–4 5–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–44 45–59 60–74 75+
Age group (years)
Rear-seat occupants 80%e
Source: 2007, Road Traffic Accidents 2007, Statistics Finland,
Costing study available Yes Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland

Annual estimated costs (in € (2007)) 2.53 billion

Deaths by road user category
Both deaths and Other (1%)
Study included deaths, injuries or both injuries
Pedestrians (13%)
Gross output method; Drivers, 4-wheelers
Methods used Willingness to pay (52%)
a
Road Traffic Accidents 2007, Statistics Finland, Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland Cyclists (6%)
data, defined as died within 30 days of the crash.
b
Road Traffic Accidents 2007, Statistics Finland, Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland
data. Riders, motorized
c
Estimation by consensus group. 2- or 3-wheelers
d
2007, Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland. (11%)
e
2007, Central Organization for Traffic Safety in Finland, data apply to urban areas only.
Passengers,
4-wheelers (18%)
NA: not applicable

Source: 2007, Road Traffic Accidents 2007, Statistics Finland, Central Organization for Traffic
62 EUROPEAN STATUS REPORT ON ROAD SAFETY
Safety in Finland
 63

National legislation Promoting transport alternatives to cars

Speed limits set nationally Yes National policies to promote walking or cycling Yesa
Local authorities may set lower limits Yes Investment in bicycle lanes No
Speed limits differ by vehicle type Yes Investment in foot paths No
Maximum speed limits (km/h) Traffic-calming measures No
Urban roads 50 Investment for increasing cycling No
Rural roads 80 Disincentives for private car use No
Highways and motorways 80–100 National policies to promote public transport Yes
Enforcementa 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Subsidized pricing of public transport Yes
Drink–driving law Yes Improving the frequency and coverage of Yes
public transport
Drink–driving defined by:
Disincentives for private car use No
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit Yes
a
Other policies are implemented in addition to those listed.
breath content Yes
physician certificate No
BAC limit: general population 0.05 g/dl Vehicle regulations
BAC limit: young or novice drivers 0.05 g/dl Compulsory insurance for vehicles Yes
BAC limit: professional and commercial drivers 0.05 g/dl Periodic vehicle inspection for:
Mechanisms to enforce drink–driving laws cars Yes
Random breath testing Yes motorized 2- or 3-wheeled vehicles No
Police checkpoints Yes minibuses and vans Yes
Breath testing of all drivers involved in crashes Yes lorries Yes
Blood testing of all drivers involved in crashes Yes buses Yes
Enforcementa 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Law requiring motorcycle helmets Yes

Applies to all riders Yes Registered motor vehicles
Applies to all engine types Yes Total (2007) 4 656 370
Exception to the legislation Yesb Cars 61%
Helmet standards mandated Yes Motorized 2- and 3-wheelers 8%
Enforcementa 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lorries 2%
Seat-belt law Yes Buses <1%
Applies to front-seat occupants Yes Other 29%
Source: The Finnish Vehicle Administration
Applies to rear-seat occupants Yes
front- and rear-
Enforcement applied to: seat occupants Care after road crashes
Enforcementa 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Formal, publicly available prehospital care Yes
Law requiring child restraints in cars Yes system
Enforcementa 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 National universal access telephone number Yes (112)
a
The enforcement score represents a consensus based on the professional opinion of respondents on
a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not effective and 10 is highly effective.
b
Exceptions: specially equipped 2-, 3-, 4-wheeled vehicles, invalids and officers performing special
duties.

Road safety audits

Formal audits required for major new road Yes
construction projects
Regular audits of existing road infrastructure Yes

Acknowledgements
Authority approving the data for publication: Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Vehicle standards National data coordinator: Petri Jääskeläinen, Central Organization for Traffic Safety in
Car manufacturers required to adhere to standards on Finland
Respondents: Merja Söderholm, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; Leif Beilinson, Ministry
Fuel consumption Yes of Transport and Communications; Pasi Kemppainen, The National Traffic Police; Marita
Seat-belt installation for all seats Yes Koivukoski, The Finnish Vehicle Administration

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