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Truck Safety Problems Found on Eastern Border

Stepped-up inspections of heavy lorries on Finland's eastern border have revealed serious shortcomings in how cargo is secured.

Rekkoja jonossa Nuijamaan raja-asemalla
Image: YLE

Spot checks were carried out on Highway 6 in south-east Finland and at the Nuijamaa border crossing point. Authorities found that in nearly one-tenth of trucks, cargo loads were fastened too loosely.

They also found major problems with the brakes on trucks arriving from Russia.

Police say that such safety problems are often concentrated on vehicles from the same trucking companies.

A load of paper rolls carried in a tractor-trailer truck was one of the causes of Finland's worst road accident, which took place in March 2004 in Konginkangas, Äänekoski, central Finland. Twenty-three people were killed.

Sources: YLE