Intensive police enforcement operation revealed a large number of traffic safety violations involving young people

The police carried out a three-week traffic safety enforcement operation from 11 to 31 May 2026 focusing on the traffic safety of young people. The operation detected numerous violations and instances of non-compliance with the rules of the road among various groups of road users.

A total of 426 penalty fees were imposed on drivers of light e-vehicles, mostly e-scooter riders, of which 119 concerned riding on the pavement and 172 concerned transporting passengers on an e-scooter. In addition, 73 drivers of light e-vehicles were issued with penalty fees for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 18 vehicles were found to be "tuned", i.e. vehicles travelling at a speed of more than 25 km/h. Cyclists were issued with 288 penalty fees, most of which, 219, were for riding on the pavement.

Motorists were issued with 55 fines for violating pedestrian crossing rules. In addition, parking enforcement was carried out in cooperation with parking control inspectors. A total of 901 parking fines were issued for vehicles parked incorrectly in the vicinity of a pedestrian crossing, and 292 parking fines were issued for parking/stopping on a pavement or bicycle lane.

The enforcement operation also addressed violations by moped riders, of which 902 were found. During the enforcement operation, the police caught 14 moped riders suspected of riding their moped under the influence, 137 of drivers operating a vehicle without a licence and 79 cases of ineffective mufflers or silencers. 

“The results of the enforcement operation are concerning. Over the course of three weeks the operation took place, a very high number of incidents that endangered traffic safety were detected, indicating that there are still serious shortcomings in compliance with the rules,” says Chief Superintendent Heikki Kallio at the National Police Board.

17-year-olds are not allowed to drive a car at night

The Driving Licence Act was amended with effect from 29 May 2026 so that a night-time driving ban (midnight-5am) applies to all 17-year-olds driving a vehicle that require a passenger car driving licence (category B). During the weekend of 29-31 May, the police caught four 17-year-olds behind the wheel at night. They were fined and temporarily banned from driving.

The police will continue to enforce traffic safety and remind all road users of their shared responsibility for maintaining a safe traffic environment.