The number of traffic enforcement measures has increased, the number of drink-driving offences has decreased and the number of road deaths has continued to fall. More effective and targeted police enforcement has contributed to this positive trend, according to a recent police traffic blog.
Enforcement targeted at risk factors
Last year, the police focused enforcement on risk factors that cause the most road deaths and serious injuries. These include speeding and intoxicants. In particular, enforcement of drink-driving has been stepped up, with a significant increase in the number of breathalyser tests.
"We have increased our visibility on the roads, with a particular focus on intensified enforcement of drink-driving during the summer, when the risk of traffic crashes is at its highest. Statistics show that we have been successful in reducing the number of drink-driving accidents through targeted enforcement,” says Assistant Police Commissioner Pasi Rissanen at the National Police Board.
Positive trend continues but further action is needed
Even though the annual number of road deaths has fallen, the goal of halving the number of road deaths by 2030 still requires significant additional efforts from all road safety actors. The police will continue to develop their own road safety work and continue to focus enforcement on key risk factors.
"Reducing road deaths is our common national objective. We want to remind all road users that everyone can make a difference to road safety through their own actions. Abiding by the rules of the road ensures your own safety and the safety of others,” Rissanen points out.
Read Pasi Rissanen and Mika Sutela’s blog: Several successes in police road safety work in 2024
