Minister Ranne: Young people in Finland have the right to safe driving – we must ensure better knowledge, skills and attitudes 

Young people’s traffic safety has recently gained widespread attention following the tragic traffic accidents in Nurmijärvi.

Although traffic safety has improved steadily in Finland over the years, and the number of traffic fatalities has remained below 200 for several years, these recent accidents remind us that we are still far from our shared goal of zero traffic deaths by 2050.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications works closely with other ministries and stakeholders to enhance road safety. At the beginning of the current government term, the ministry convened a roundtable discussion on the traffic safety of children and young people, bringing a wide range of stakeholder representatives together. 

Finland’s traffic safety efforts are based on two key plans. The Transport System Plan (Transport 12 Plan) outlines the strategic guidelines for road, rail, air and water transport in Finland.  The Traffic Safety Strategy includes more than one hundred proposed measures to improve traffic safety. 

During this government term, significant investments will be made in traffic safety through measures such as:

•    The update of the Transport 12 Plan will be completed in autumn 2025. A key new focus of the plan is safety, including traffic safety.

•    The revision of the Traffic Safety Strategy will begin this year. 

•    Funding for road projects that will also improve traffic safety will be more than doubled during this government term compared to the previous government led by Prime Minister Marin. 

•    The safety of electric scooters will be enhanced by setting a limit for blood alcohol content while driving, among other measures.

•    Legislation on young drivers’ licences will be amended based on evidence. 

•    Traffic safety will also be promoted through collaboration with school police officers, who are currently touring schools around the country. 

Traffic safety concerns our society as a whole

Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne emphasises that our society is responsible for improving the traffic safety of children and young people. Traffic education must be lifelong. Cooperation between homes and schools plays an important role in improving traffic safety and fostering the right attitudes. While vehicle safety systems and technology are constantly evolving, they can only partially compensate for poor attitudes and lack of driving skills.

“Finland is a country of long distances on rubber wheels where young people must be able to move around safely, as necessary. Together, we must ensure that young drivers enter traffic with better skills, knowledge and the right attitude. The goal is, of course, for every young person to return home safely,” says Minister Ranne.

Driving Licence Act must be amended based on evidence

The 2018 reform of the Driving Licence Act reduced the amount of mandatory driver training and made it easier for 17-year-olds to obtain a passenger car licence with a special permit. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has been closely monitoring the effects of these legislative changes. Evidence suggests that the changes may have had some negative impact on road safety.

“We are not planning to raise the minimum driving age, but we will review the criteria for granting age exemptions. We will also reassess the entire system of driver training with traffic safety as the priority. It is clear changes are needed in both practical and theoretical instruction that apply to learner drivers of all ages. Remote learning and simulators cannot replace in-person instruction provided by professionals,” concludes Minister Ranne.

Young drivers are overrepresented in traffic accident statistics. However, 17-year-old drivers do not, in general, stand out significantly from other young age groups. 

More information:

Jussi Laatikainen, Special Adviser to Minister, tel. +358 295 342 111, jussi.laatikainen@gov.fi