Current traffic safety and mobility issues

Liikenneturva.fi/ajankohtaista/

What should be considered when cycling as you get older?

Cycling has many positive effects on well-being and health. For cycling to be healthy, it must also be safe. Aging affects functional capacity, which must also be taken into account when cycling. The elderly also stand out in accident statistics. With the help of the materials of the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, you can assess the safety of your own cycling and get tips for safer cycling trips.

To help you assess your own cycling, Liikenneturva has developed a self-assessment guide. Cyclist self-assessment 65+ helps older cyclists assess the safety of their own cycling. The tips in the guide can also be useful for people who have had challenges in their ability to function or a long break from cycling. The guide also includes ways in which everyone can promote their own safety, for example by using a helmet. Identifying deficiencies in time can also encourage them to compensate for them, for example by changing to a more suitable bike model.

Be aware of the disadvantages of glare

Different seasons also emphasize different things in traffic. Right now, we are rapidly moving towards spring and summer. The increasing light is refreshing, but it can be a challenge on the road. What should be important to consider in traffic as spring approaches?

In spring, the sun is still quite low. Oblique rays of light can easily cause glare, especially if the windshield is scratched or dirty on the outside or inside.

Every year, sun glare is a contributing factor in as many as five fatal accidents.

Photo: Traffic Safety

Overview of road traffic accident statistics
In Ikaalinen

Ikaalinen Road traffic accident review 2025 (pdf)

Accident maps:
• Police statistics: https://mobilityanalytics.ramboll.com/onn/poliisi/
• Rescue Department statistics: https://mobilityanalytics.ramboll.com/onn/pelastuslaitos/
• Riistakeskus statistics (deer and moose accidents): https://mobilityanalytics.ramboll.com/onn/hirvielain/

Personal injuries in road traffic in the Ikaalinen city area

Take to the water wisely when it's time – transport your boat safely on a trailer

In traffic, the driver is responsible for the safety of his vehicle combination. Photo: Timo Muilu/Liikenneturva

Boat launching season is about to begin, and many people who are planning to get out on the water are already busy packing their boats. Before launching, you need to plan in advance how to safely transport your boat on a trailer.

Check the condition of the trailer and choose the speed according to the conditions

The condition of the trailer and the tire pressure must be checked before attaching the boat. In addition, it must be ensured that the lights and indicators on the trailer are working. Only good quality lashing straps must be used to tie down the boat. The lashing must prevent the boat from moving in all directions in the event of a collision.

Wisely also on the water

Once the boat has been safely launched, the boating season can begin. On the Water Wisely campaign has been reminding Finns for 30 years about, among other things, how to act safely when boating.

"100-150 people drown in Finland every year. A large proportion of accidents could be prevented," says a communications expert at the Finnish Coast Guard. Niko Nieminen.

Preparing your child for school: tips for parents

A child's ability to judge distances and speeds is still developing, and independent movement requires, in addition to practice, adult support and guidance. The adult should set the example for the child and behave in traffic as exemplary as possible. It is also worth verbalizing the activity aloud, for example by explaining why it is not safe to use a phone while moving or why a helmet is worn when cycling and a reflector in the dark.

Practice makes perfect — even on school trips

The shortest route to school is not always the safest, and the route should be chosen so that it has as few road crossings as possible. It is a good idea to walk the school route with your child several times. At the same time, you can teach your child how to act safely in different situations. When traveling with an adult, a child often leaves the responsibility for following traffic and making decisions to the adult. Encourage your child to make observations and act as independently as possible.

During school age, friends become increasingly important, and the child practices independent movement together with them. From a child's perspective, being with friends is often the best thing about the school trip. The need to belong to a group becomes stronger, and the attitudes and habits of their own friends influence the child's actions. Even if a child behaves thoughtfully and responsibly with their parents, they may act differently in a peer group.

"It's good to remind children that they should always act with caution in traffic, even if others encourage them to act differently. Even in a large group, they should take care to be alert. For example, you can't cross the road after your friends without making sure that the moment is right," says Eeva-Liisa Markkanen, a traffic safety planner.

The assessment of a schoolchild's traffic skills is the responsibility of the guardian.

Due to the coronavirus, many families are also considering the mode of transportation to school from a different perspective. When making a choice, it is also important to take traffic safety into account. Even if driving your child to school may seem tempting, it is worth considering carefully when transportation is necessary.

"Even if most of the journey to school is by car, you could let your child walk the last kilometer to school, for example. That way, they can enjoy the benefits of outdoor activities and the school area won't be congested with traffic," Markkanen suggests.

The coronavirus situation may also encourage children to get on a bike earlier than usual or to cover distances that were previously covered by public transport. It is the parent's responsibility to plan and practice the safest cycling route to school with their child. Parents should also assess their child's abilities and skills to cycle safely to school.

Discuss school trips throughout the year

Older schoolchildren also need a refresher and discussion about safe traffic. Practicing the school trip in advance is important, but it is also worth checking at regular intervals to make sure that the instructions are still in the child's mind.

"Discuss school trips with your child throughout the year and ask how they are going. It is also worth talking openly and constructively about difficult situations and mistakes," Markkanen reminds.

Traffic safety – Safe journey to school

A young schoolchild's ability to assess traffic situations is still in its developmental stage. The child still needs practice and adult guidance in traffic. Photo: Liikenneturva/Nina Mönkkönen

Exercise tips for children and young people – so that the movement doesn't stop! 

In the video series Hey, we're cycling The wise Family, Skillilataamo, Elixir and Tunturi encourage every child and adult to take up cycling by the horns. The series progresses from the basics of cycling to more challenging cycling skills.

Get your skills from Skillilataamo! Skillilataamo is a free online service that offers an inspiring and diverse set of task cards for practicing motor skills.

Mobile school, more active and enjoyable school days.

From here There are links with ideas and tips for increasing daily physical activity in early childhood education.

Traficom and the Finnish Cyclists' Association's new guide to the rules for cyclists