SlopeFinland
Traffic rules
Finland
11. Slope
A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.
Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.
Wikimedia.org • EljasWaltari • CC BY
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Finland?
Finnish signs distinguish a steep descent and a steep ascent. Any gradient information describes the slope; the speed restriction and the duty to drive safely remain separate obligations.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 3–5, 27, 29, 31–33; Annex 3.1 warnings
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
Warning for a steep ascent.
English • Traffic sign A3 • Steep hill. May warn of an unusually steep hill compared with the road's general alignment. The longitudinal gradient may be shown as a percentage.
Suomi • Liikennemerkki A3 • Jyrkkä mäki. Merkillä voidaan varoittaa tien yleiseen linjaukseen nähden poikkeuksellisen jyrkästä mäestä. Merkissä voidaan esittää mäen pituuskaltevuus prosentteina.
Svenska • Vägmärke A3 • Brant backe. Med märket kan det varnas för en brant backe som avviker från vägens allmänna linjeföring. Märket kan ange backens längdlutning i procent.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.1 (FI)
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.1 (SV)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Source revision 2020-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Warning for a steep descent.
English • Traffic sign A3 • Steep hill. May warn of an unusually steep hill compared with the road's general alignment. The longitudinal gradient may be shown as a percentage.
Suomi • Liikennemerkki A3 • Jyrkkä mäki. Merkillä voidaan varoittaa tien yleiseen linjaukseen nähden poikkeuksellisen jyrkästä mäestä. Merkissä voidaan esittää mäen pituuskaltevuus prosentteina.
Svenska • Vägmärke A3 • Brant backe. Med märket kan det varnas för en brant backe som avviker från vägens allmänna linjeföring. Märket kan ange backens längdlutning i procent.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.1 (FI)
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.1 (SV)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Source revision 2020-06-23. Wikimedia original unmodified.
How should I approach a steep descent in Finland?
Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 3–5, 27, 29, 31–33; Annex 3.1 warnings
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Finland?
Keep a speed that lets you stop within the visible clear distance. Do not use the brow of a hill as a place to overtake when the view of oncoming traffic is insufficient.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 3–5, 27, 29, 31–33; Annex 3.1 warnings
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
