Police announced on Monday that they will be monitoring traffic around schools nationwide during the first few weeks of the new school year.
The monitoring aims to ensure schoolchildren's safety on their daily commutes and prevent traffic accidents as class gets back in session for most schools in Finland this week.
Police supervision will focus on speed limits and obeying rules that apply to pedestrian crossings. Additionally, the police will monitor the behaviour of cyclists and light electric vehicle users, obeying traffic lights, the use of safety equipment and factors causing driver distraction.
“Visible surveillance by the police has been proven to calm down traffic and enhance the safety of schoolchildren on their way to and from school, and also improved the sense of security,” said Chief Superintendent Heikki Kallio from the National Police Board.
According to Kallio, the Road Traffic Act requires drivers to exercise special caution when approaching children. This means reducing speed and being prepared for unexpected or even rule-breaking behaviour.
"This calls for special attention now that the youngest schoolchildren, unfamiliar with moving in traffic, will start to go to and from school. It is also worth remembering that according to law, children are considered a living warning sign in traffic, Kallio said.
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