Based on initial data, this year will not continue the good trend of the past few years.
According to preliminary data published by Statistics Finland, 72 people passed away in road traffic between January and June, whereas the number of casualties at the same time last year was 69. A concerning aspect of this first half of the year is that several children under the age of 15 have died in traffic. Last year, only one child under the age of 15 died in road traffic, whereas now as many as six children have passed away even though we are only halfway through the year. Three of the deceased children were riding a bike or a light electric vehicle, two were car passengers and one was a pedestrian.
Improving traffic safety during the rest of the year is a shared responsibility of us all
Eve though the first half of the year was a dark time in terms of children's traffic deaths, it is still possible to improve the situation of the rest of the year. This requires that all road users follow the rules and stay vigilant. Watching out for children and exercising caution when encountering children in traffic is necessary, and also required by law. The situation will become more concrete when the school year starts and children return from their holidays. The police will have strong presence near primary schools during these first school days, securing a safe school journey for the young children.
Children’s traffic safety is our shared responsibility
In the end, the traffic safety of children, in particular, is a responsibility of us all, and every road user can do their part.
The police reminds that the Finnish road traffic act obligates all vehicle drivers to exercise special caution when approaching a child. This means that when seeing a child, a vehicle driver should be prepared for the child potentially doing something unpredictable in traffic. The driver must remain vigilant and usually also reduce their speed.
The police encourages all road users to pay special attention to children in traffic and act responsibly during the rest of the year. Together, we can turn the situation around and ensure a safer latter half of the year.
