As of Monday, longer articulated lorries – also known as Longer Heavier Vehicles, road trains or super lorries – are allowed on Finnish highways.
Truck combinations of up to 34.5 metres long, which may include several trailers, can now be driven without special permit. Until now the maximum has been 25.25 metres, which was already longer than those allowed in most European countries beyond the Nordic region. Even lengthier 'land trains' are common in Australia and North America.
Road safety experts warn motorists to exercise caution when attempting to overtake such a monster truck.
Auvo Huotari, an experienced motorist from the northern city of Oulu who logs some 50,000 kilometres a year, points out that the feasibility and safety of overtaking the long lorries depends partly on the capabilities of one's own vehicle.
"Today's cars are quite powerful, but even with them you can lose control," he says.
Huotari says he has seen dangerous situations on the road, particularly when several lorries are driving in a bumper-to-bumper convoy on a motorway.
Passing distance may be surprisingly long
Pentti Tervo, an instruction supervisor at the Finnish Road Safety Council, reminds drivers that passing a long combination truck requires plenty of clear space in the oncoming traffic lane.
"From when you start passing, drive alongside the tractor-trailer and then return to your own lane, it's a really long distance. It can be as much as half a kilometre," he says.
Tervo urges motorists to think carefully about whether to pass a long combination vehicle, particularly in winter conditions.
Super-long articulated vehicles have occasionally appeared on Finnish roads, but have required special permits. Tervo does not expect them to proliferate quickly on the nation's roads. He says they will mostly stick to the main motorways and drive at night whenever possible.