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Police will monitor crosswalk safety

Starting on Monday, the police will observe the safety of pedestrian crosswalks.

Poliisi seuraa liikenteen kulkua suojatien tuntumassa
Starting on Monday, police will observe crosswalks throughout the country. Image: Johanna Manu / Yle
  • Yle News

Police will monitor crosswalks throughout the country starting Monday for two weeks, said the National Police Board.

The police will monitor the behaviour of drivers of motorised vehicles and trams on pedestrian crossings and the observance of crosswalk rules.

"The starting point is that pedestrians must be able to cross the crosswalks safely. For example, we check whether drivers allow pedestrians to cross the crossing without hindrance and whether they pass a vehicle or tram spotted in front of the crossing without stopping," explained Police Inspector Heikki Kallio

According to the National Police Board, pedestrians account for 10 percent of road fatalities.

Statistics published by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency show that for the past three years the average number of pedestrian fatalities has been 20 a year.