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    What should you do when an emergency vehicle comes up behind you in Finland?

    Finland's hazard light recommendation.

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    Short answer

    The police, the rescue services and Liikenneturva issued guidance that when you see emergency lights in your mirror, you should keep your own speed steady and switch on your hazard lights. This tells the emergency driver that you have seen them, and warns oncoming drivers that an emergency vehicle is waiting to overtake. Avoid sudden braking or other abrupt moves, and switch the hazard lights off once the vehicle has passed. More than one emergency vehicle may follow.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    Why

    1. Kaleva reports the joint guidance of the police, rescue services and Liikenneturva.
    2. A Police Board inspector advised avoiding sudden braking and abrupt moves.
    3. Liikenneturva says it knows of no other EU country with a similar hazard light recommendation.

    Details

    Emergency vehicles do not always use the siren. At rural road speeds the siren can be hard to hear ahead, so check your mirrors often.

    Tip

    Learn where the hazard light button is in a rental car before you drive off.

    What may differ

    Guidance in other countries differs. In Finland the hazard light advice is a recommendation, not a legal rule.

    Common misconception

    You must brake hard and pull onto the verge immediately.

    What actually happens

    Sudden braking is a risk. Keep a steady speed and use hazard lights.

    People also ask

    • Can you drive through a red light to make way for an ambulance in Finland?
    • What to do after a car accident in Finland?
    • What is the emergency number in Finland?

    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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