Priority roadFinland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Finland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


18. Priority road

A priority road is a road whose traffic is given priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads. It is normally identified by a priority-road sign, while an end sign indicates where that continuing priority status stops.

Drivers on a priority road must still obey traffic lights, authorised officers, speed limits, crossings and turning rules. Having priority never allows a driver to proceed when doing so would create danger or block an intersection.

Priority road
Priority-road sign in Southern Savonia. (Finland)
Wikimedia.org • Dalibor Z. Chvatal • CC BY
How does priority-road status work in Finland?

Finland’s Etuajo-oikeutettu tie sign identifies a priority road. Vehicles and trams approaching from intersecting roads must yield as required, with the corresponding controls or the statutory entry rule.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24; Annex 3 A22, B1/B2, H22, F1–F3

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Start of a priority road. Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign B1 • Priority road. Vehicles and trams from intersecting roads must give way to vehicles and trams on this road. The duty is signposted unless based on section 24(3) or (4). Placed at the road's beginning and where needed along it. With H22.1 or H22.2, may show a turning priority route.

Suomi • Liikennemerkki B1 • Etuajo-oikeutettu tie. Merkillä osoitetaan tie, jolla kulkevaa ajoneuvoa ja raitiovaunua risteävältä tieltä tulevalla ajoneuvolla ja raitiovaunulla on väistettävä. Väistämisvelvollisuus on osoitettu liikennemerkillä, jollei se perustu 24 §:n 3 tai 4 momentin säännökseen. Merkki sijoitetaan tällaisen tien alkuun ja tarpeellisiin kohtiin sen varrelle. Lisäkilvellä H22.1 tai H22.2 varustettuna merkillä voidaan osoittaa kääntyvä etuajo-oikeutettu suunta.

Svenska • Vägmärke B1 • Väg med förkörsrätt. Märket anger en väg där fordon och spårvagnar har förkörsrätt så att fordon och spårvagnar som kommer in från en korsande väg ska väja för dem. Väjningsplikten är angiven med ett vägmärke, om den inte grundar sig på bestämmelsen i 24 § 3 eller 4 mom. Märket placeras i början av en väg med förkörsrätt och vid behövliga ställen utmed den. Försett med tilläggsskylt H22.1 eller H22.2 kan märket ange den svängande förkörsberättigade riktningen.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.2 (FI)

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.2 (SV)

SVG source: Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-06-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the priority road. End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign B2 • End of priority. Marks where priority indicated by B1 ends. With H4 may give advance warning.

Suomi • Liikennemerkki B2 • Etuajo-oikeuden päättyminen. Merkillä osoitetaan tienkohta, jossa merkillä B1 osoitettu etuajo-oikeus päättyy. Lisäkilvellä H4 varustettuna merkkiä voidaan käyttää myös ennakkomerkkinä.

Svenska • Vägmärke B2 • Förkörsrätt upphör. Märket anger det ställe på vägen där den förkörsrätt som angetts med märke B1 upphör. Försett med tilläggsskylt H4 kan märket även användas som förhandsmärke.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.2 (FI)

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.2 (SV)

SVG source: Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-06-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How can you tell where a priority road applies in Finland?

Read the priority-road sign, the corresponding end indication and any supplementary junction diagram. Distinguish a continuing road designation from a sign that regulates only one junction. If a diagram shows the priority route turning, follow that diagram rather than assuming the straight-ahead road has priority.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24; Annex 3 A22, B1/B2, H22, F1–F3

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Does having road priority let you ignore other controls in Finland?

No. Obey the applicable traffic signals and authorised directions, speed limits and crossing rules. Turning or changing lanes can require yielding, and having priority never permits entering a conflict that cannot be crossed safely.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24; Annex 3 A22, B1/B2, H22, F1–F3

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

1 Finland 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Pedestrian zone 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Priority road 19 Railway crossing 20 School area 21 Crossing animals 22 Wrong-way driving 23 Roadworks 24 Height limit 25 Weight limit 26 Radar speed sign 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Driving licence 30 Countdown markers 31 International border 32 Cycling route 33 Parking 34 No parking 35 Parallel parking 36 Parking disc 37 Reversing 38 Uncontrolled crossroad 39 Verge 40 City limit 41 Licence plate 42 Charging station 43 Dangers 44 Pedestrian 45 Cyclist 46 Moped 47 Bus 48 Police 49 Ambulance 50 Tram lights 51 European emission standard 52 Pothole 53 Path 54 Particulates 55 Air pollution 56 Rush hour 57 Road code 58 Two-way traffic 59 Street gutter 60 Cargo bike 61 Forestry vehicle 62 Construction vehicle 63 Semi-trailer truck 64 Trolleybus 65 Speed pedelec 66 Delivery vehicle 67 Idling 68 Tow truck 69 Four-wheel drive 70 No vehicles 71 Bicycle 72 Motorcycle equipment 73 Rail track 74 Caravan 75 Trailer 76 Tow hitch 77 Fire truck 78 Siren 79 Convoy 80 Emergency vehicle lighting 81 Agricultural machinery 82 Electric bicycle 83 Electric vehicle 84 Pedelec 85 Quadricycle 86 Microcar 87 All-terrain vehicle 88 Van 89 Recreational vehicle 90 Scooter 91 Trikke 92 Personal mobility device 93 Skateboard 94 Segway 95 Kick scooter 96 Roller skates 97 Mailman 98 Hitchhiker 99 Toddler 100 Child ...