The road and traffic laboratory of the technical research centre of finland has, financed and assisted by the roads and waterways administration and several of its districts, measured speeds representing the distribution of vehicular mileage on the road network. These measurements have continued in all parts of finland since 1973. Due to the effect of speed limits the steady increase in vehicle speeds was stopped after 1973. The increase in the lowest speeds below the limits have, however, still taken place. Since the highest speeds have stayed at a constant level this causes a decrease in the standard deviation. As far as the traffic safety is concerned the development is positive. In northern finland exceptional speeds and speed limit violations have increased on roads with 80 km/h speed limit. Drivers don't take into account adverse weather or sight conditions when adjusting their speeds. In these cases speed limits are regarded as recommended speeds, which should be kept up although other conditions would require slowing down.
Abstract