Tachographs under special examination in the intensified surveillance operation of heavy goods traffic by the police

The police intensified their enforcement of heavy goods traffic in early February. A total of 1,302 heavy goods vehicles were inspected during the five-day surveillance period. Most deficiencies were again found in compliance with driving and rest times. On the other hand, there were slightly fewer deficiencies in load securing and overloads than before.

The intensified surveillance period for heavy goods traffic began on Monday 2 February and ended on Friday 6 February. During that period, the police found 150 driving and rest time violations and 89 tachograph violations.

“The number of driving and rest time violations was still at the same level as in the corresponding surveillance campaigns in recent years. This time, we paid more attention to the correct use of the tachograph. As a result of this, the number of related offences more than doubled,” says Chief Superintendent Kari Onninen.

A total of 69 road transports of dangerous goods were inspected, of which 11 were found to be worthy of a sanction, and the number of these types of offences increased compared to the previous enforcement periods.

A total of 50 penalties were recorded of vehicles that were found to be in a poor condition, and the journey of twelve vehicles was interrupted due to malfunctions that were particularly dangerous to traffic safety. The number of vehicles in a poor condition was at the same level as in previous similar enforcement campaigns.

Moreover, 24 penalties were issued for inadequate load securing and ten for overloads.

The enforcement campaign concerning freight traffic was targeted at compliance with driving and rest times, securing the load, the condition of vehicles, and overloads. These issues have been defined as the focal areas of heavy goods transport surveillance by the police this year. 

During the enforcement period, a total of 1,302 heavy goods vehicles were inspected, of which 1,160 were Finnish vehicles and 126 were foreign, as well as 16 buses. The police spent a total of about 2,900 hours of work time on the surveillance campaign.

At least one penalty was imposed on 26 per cent of the drivers. The corresponding share during the enforcement period in 2025 was 20 per cent. 

All police departments participated in the intensified surveillance campaign in their own areas.