Police to visibly step up enforcement of young people’s traffic behaviour and use of intoxicants

In the coming weeks, the police will enforce the use of intoxicants and the behaviour in traffic of young people. Traffic enforcement will focus on moped riders, cyclists and operators of light e-vehicles and compliance with pedestrian crossing rules. Police patrols will also be visibly present in school areas.

The police will carry out an intensive enforcement operation in built-up areas in weeks 20-22. The police will monitor pedestrian crossings and how vulnerable road users such as e-scooter riders and cyclists obey the rules of the road.

Enforcement at pedestrian crossings will focus on compliance by vehicle drivers with the pedestrian crossing rules. As regards cyclists and operators of light e-vehicles, the police will pay attention to whether they ride on the pavement, whether they ride while intoxicated and whether they obey the give-way and passenger transport rules.

”Over the enforcement period, we will intervene in hazardous parking that endangers mobility, for example in the vicinity of pedestrian crossings and on cycle lanes together with municipal parking control,” says Chief Superintendent Heikki Kallio at the National Police Board.

In 2025, almost one in four, a total of 24%, of those killed in road traffic were children or young people. Five were under the age of 15 and 37 were between the ages of 15 and 24.

Vulnerable road users account for a high percentage of total road traffic fatalities

“In 2025, vulnerable road users accounted for 36.1% (34.5% in 2024) of road traffic fatalities in Finland. These figures include motorised two-wheeled vehicles. This is why the safety of these road user groups must remain at the heart of road safety work,” Kallio points out.

According to preliminary data from Statistics Finland, five pedestrians and one motorcyclist died in road traffic accidents in January-March 2026. 

Police to focus on visible enforcement as the school year ends

Police departments will carry out intensified street and substance abuse enforcement during the long weekend, 29-31 May 2026, at the end of the school year. Enforcement will focus on young people under the age of 18. Young people often gather to celebrate the end of the school year, and these gatherings involve the use of intoxicants and the associated side effects. The aim of visible police enforcement is to prevent disorder, accidents and young people becoming victims of crime.

Police will intervene in the possession of intoxicants and edged or bladed weapons

Most of the police enforcement operation will be visible and the police will intervene in the use and possession of all intoxicants. Based on police observations, young people are unfortunately often in possession of edged or bladed weapons or other objects capable of harming others. Intervening in the possession of edged or bladed weapons is a key enforcement issue, as well as the possession of narcotic substances and alcohol.

Local police departments will work closely with youth and social services, among others, during the enforcement period. Cooperation between authorities ensures effective intervention and an immediate response to any problems that may arise in relation to young people. 

“It’s important for parents to know where their children are spending their weekends, with whom and what they are doing. Backpacks and bags should be checked in cooperation with the young person before going out to party. This helps to avoid unpleasant surprises that arise that intervention by the authorities often brings, ” says Chief Superintendent Tuomo Korhonen.

Police departments will provide information about their enforcement in various ways during and after their operations. 

The purpose of intensive enforcement is particularly to prevent the harm caused by alcohol, narcotic substances and other intoxicants.