Easter travel surge begins with warning to avoid smaller roads

The Swedish Transport Administration has issued safety warnings ahead of the Easter holiday, as increased traffic raises the risk of accidents. Last year’s Easter saw 427 injuries—the highest in six years—with peak congestion expected on Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday, reports SVT Nyheter.

Felicia Danielsson, a spokesperson for the agency, urged drivers to plan carefully, reduce speed, and maintain safe distances. “Major, divided highways are safest,” she said. “They’re prioritised for winter maintenance and eliminate the risk of crossing into oncoming traffic.”

To ease congestion, speed limits will drop to 70 km/h on sections of the E4 through Jönköping—where an annual motor show draws 100,000 visitors—and on routes 31 and 40 from Good Friday morning until Easter Saturday night. A long-standing overtaking ban will also return on the E4 between Gävle and Tönnebro, a route heavily used by travellers heading to the mountains.

“The ban creates smoother traffic flow,” Danielsson explained. “Without it, drivers take risks during overtaking opportunities, which often leads to accidents.”

Authorities emphasised collaboration with police and emergency services but stressed that road safety depends on collective caution. The agency’s advice: stick to main roads, avoid shortcuts, and allow extra travel time.