Abstract
IN FEBRUARY 1976, THE FINNISH POLICE WENT ON STRIKE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND DRIVERS VERY SOON KNEW THAT NO OR ONLY LITTLE TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE WAS MADE IN THE COUNTRY. DRIVING SPEEDS WERE STUDIED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE STRIKE. ONLY A SLIGHT INCREASE WAS FOUND IN THE MEAN SPEED DURING THE STRIKE BUT THE PERCENTAGE OF GROSS SPEED VIOLATIONS (EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT AT LEAST 10 KM/H) WAS INCREASED BY 50-100% AND THE STANDARD DEVIATION OF SPEEDS WAS INCREASED BY ABOUT 20% SUGGESTING THAT THE ACCIDENT RISK WAS INCREASED TOO. ADDITIONALLY, CAR DRIVERS' RESPONSE TO A "SUSPICIOUS-LOOKING" CAR PARKED ON A SIDE ROAD CHANGED DURING THE STRIKE SO THAT DRIVERS NO MORE DECREASED THE SPEED WHEN SEEING SUCH A CAR.(Author/publisher).