Väistämispaikkoja

Väistämispaikkoja, meaning "passing places" in English, are designated areas along narrow roads that allow oncoming traffic to pass each other. These are typically found in rural or remote areas where widening the entire road is impractical or too expensive. A väistämispaikka is essentially a widened section of the road, often a pull-off, that provides enough space for one vehicle to stop while another proceeds past it.

The concept of väistämispaikkoja is crucial for ensuring smooth traffic flow and preventing congestion on single-lane or partially single-lane routes. Drivers encountering an oncoming vehicle when on a narrow section of road are expected to use the nearest väistämispaikka. The convention is usually that the driver who has the väistämispaikka on their side of the road yields to the oncoming traffic. However, this can vary by local custom or signage.

These passing places are often marked with signs indicating their purpose. They are particularly common in countries with extensive road networks through mountainous or sparsely populated regions. The implementation of väistämispaikkoja is a cost-effective solution for improving road usability without undertaking major infrastructure projects. They require drivers to be aware of their surroundings and to cooperate to maintain the flow of traffic.