Winter speed limits take effect on roads this week

Winter and reduced-visibility speed limits will take effect on roads this week, Yle reports, citing the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. The main changeover is Wednesday, with the limits due to be updated by Friday at the latest.

Regional vitality centres decide where winter limits apply. Speeds will generally be reduced to 80 kilometres per hour on roads, and to 70 kilometres per hour on some stretches. On motorways, the limit will fall to 100 kilometres per hour.

Fintraffic may continue to use variable speed limits of up to 120 kilometres per hour on motorways until the end of November, as in recent years, if weather and road conditions, as well as the limit for that road, allow it.

The switch to winter limits takes place at the end of October because, after daylight saving time ended last Sunday, much of the traffic takes place in darkness.