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    What should you do at a level crossing in Finland?

    Väylävirasto's advice for road users.

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    Short answer

    Väylävirasto advises slowing down before a level crossing so that you can stop safely before the tracks or the barrier if needed. If a train is already coming or the barriers are coming down, it is far too late to start crossing. If a queue forms before the crossing, every driver must make sure their own crossing is safe, so do not drive onto the tracks unless there is room to clear them. A train cannot swerve.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    Why

    1. Väylävirasto advises slowing so you can stop before the tracks.
    2. It says it is too late to cross once a train is coming or barriers lower.
    3. In a queue, each driver must check their own crossing.

    Details

    Väylävirasto says the actions of the road user crossing the tracks are behind most level crossing accidents.

    Tip

    At a crossing with only a stop sign, stop fully, open the window if needed and listen for trains.

    What may differ

    Väylävirasto warns that a train can arrive surprisingly fast and quietly.

    Common misconception

    You can beat the train if the barriers have only just started to lower.

    What actually happens

    Once barriers start lowering, it is too late to cross.

    People also ask

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    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules and fees change, so check Traficom, Liikenneturva or the police before you drive.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    • Do foreign cars need a country sticker in Finland?

      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland says a nationality sign is required on foreign cars in Finland, unless the vehicle is registered in a country that is party to the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention and carries EU number plates with the country code.

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    • What colour are motorway and main road signs in Finland?

      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto) says main roads in Finland have blue direction signs with white text, while motorways have green signs with white text.

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    • Does E10 petrol increase fuel consumption?

      VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland tested six used E10-compatible cars from model years 1999–2010 in laboratory conditions in 2011.

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    • Which petrol should you use in Finland, 95E10 or 98E5?

      Finnish pumps sell two main petrol grades: 95E10, with an octane rating of at least 95 and up to 10% ethanol, and 98E5, with at least 98 octane and up to 5% ethanol.

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