The police monitored traffic in the proximity of schools nationwide, particularly at the time when the school day started and ended, as the school year began last week and the week before. In total, 2,577 work hours were allocated to the surveillance campaign. Numerous cases of speeding and failures to wear seatbelts were detected, alongside other offences.
Particular attention was paid to compliance with traffic rules at pedestrian crossings and to driving speeds, especially on 8 to 10 August, in accordance with the European-wide enforcement theme. Further focus areas included pedestrian and bicycle traffic behaviour, observing of traffic lights, the use of safety equipment and other distractions in traffic.
High number of penalties for speeding
According to Chief Superintendent Timo Ajaste , the number of speeding drivers caught by the police was high again this year.
“Almost one thousand formal notices, 666 summary penal fees and 416 fines were issued to drivers on-site. In addition, a temporary driving ban was issued to 91 drivers, in most cases due to considerable speeding,” says Ajaste.
Four motorists overtook a car, which had halted at a pedestrian crossing, without stopping and 33 failed to give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings. Moreover, a total of 25 drivers were observed running a red light or a STOP sign. A total of 54 summary penal fees were issued to pedestrians or cyclists.
In addition, automatic surveillance cars detected 1,300 vehicles speeding during the surveillance operation in the proximity of schools on 8–10 August.
The use of seatbelts saves lives
A total of 206 drivers or passengers were found not wearing seatbelts. Motorists who were using a mobile phone while driving numbered 106.
Timo Ajaste emphasises the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
“Seatbelts save lives in road traffic accidents. A seatbelt must be worn even on short trips and also in the back seat.”
He also wants motorists to remember that they should focus solely on driving and observing other traffic instead of handling a mobile phone, for example, especially as we move into autumn and driving conditions become more tricky.
