Väistämissäännöissä

Väistämissäännöissä is a Finnish term that translates to "rules of right-of-way" or "yielding rules" in English. These are a fundamental part of traffic law in Finland, governing how road users must interact with each other to ensure safety and prevent collisions. The core principle of väistämissäännöissä is that certain road users must yield to others in specific situations.

Key principles include yielding to vehicles on the right when approaching an intersection without traffic signals or signs. This is often referred to as the "right-hand rule" or "priority to the right." However, this rule can be superseded by traffic signs, such as a yield sign (väistämisvelvollisuusmerkki) or a stop sign (pysäytämerkki), which explicitly dictate yielding or stopping.

Pedestrians and cyclists also have specific right-of-way rules. Generally, drivers must yield to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings. Cyclists have similar rights to other vehicles but must also be aware of their surroundings and follow traffic signals and signs.

In situations involving different types of vehicles, such as a car meeting a tram or a bus exiting a bus stop, specific yielding rules apply. Trams, for instance, often have priority. Buses that are signaled to depart from a bus stop may also have priority over following traffic. Understanding and adhering to väistämissäännöissä is crucial for all road users in Finland to maintain order and prevent accidents.