Suojaväli

Suojaväli is a Finnish term that literally means "safety zone" or "buffer zone." It denotes a defined area wherein certain activities are restricted to protect people, property or environment.

The word combines suojata "to protect" with väli "interval" and has been in use since the late 19th century in technical manuals and later in traffic regulations.

In road safety, a suojaväli is the distance between two mobile objects, usually cars, that is maintained to reduce collision risk while traveling at speed.

For railway operations the term refers to the safety margin left beside the track, around signals and switches, to allow emergency stopping of trains.

Construction sites use suojaväli to delineate hazardous areas such as fall‑protection lines, crane swing zones, or excavation boundaries, ensuring that workers and visitors stay a safe distance.

Environmental planning adopts buffer zones around bodies of water, protected flora, or wildlife corridors, and these are also called suojavälin alueet in Finnish legislation.

Finnish safety regulations, such as the Road Traffic Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, prescribe minimum suojaväli distances and enforcement measures, with penalties for non‑compliance.