Since the beginning of 1970's, the road safety work in Finland has been based on time-related targets which are expressed in absolute number of fatalities in road traffic. Since 1973, the most important targets have been to halve the number of fatalities by the year 1980 and since 1991 also to halve the number of fatalities by the year 2000. Both of the targets were suggested by so called parliamentary traffic committees which were political bodies. National road safety action plans were prepared in order to achieve these targets. In 1970's, due implementing of the safety action plan, the road safety target was achieved despite the simultaneous increase of traffic. During, the 1990's, the development seems to be the same. However, the slight decrease in traffic kilometreage is now helping in achieving the safety target.
Samenvatting