Police boost road surveillance as schools reopen

The Helsinki Police Department has taken extra measures to intensify the supervision of compliance with traffic rules at pedestrian crossings and driving speeds near schools as classes resume on Wednesday after the summer vacation.

The police already started the enhanced supervision from 10 August and will continue it until 14 August as well as on the first school day in Swedish-speaking schools on 18 August, said a press release.

The police will be positioned by school routes in advance to remind drivers and other road users that students will soon be returning in force.

Excessive speed and non-essential actions whilst driving, such as using a smartphone, creating dangerous situations, will not be allowed. In addition to that, small school children are not as easy for drivers to spot from a distance as grown-ups. Children can act spontaneously and make sudden moves, such as rushing unexpectedly into the street after their friends. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will also be monitored closely.

“You should give children and others clear passage on pedestrian crossings. You must also stop when a vehicle on a lane next to you stops before a crossing. Drivers should be particularly alert and anticipatory, so that they can react quickly in surprising situations,” said Helsinki Police Department Senior Constable Sami Silventoinen.

The police urge parents or other relatives to use a safe route to school together with the children.