Give wayFinland
16. Give way
A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed before entering, crossing or joining a road. Drivers must reduce speed, observe approaching traffic and stop when necessary.
Unlike a stop sign, a give-way sign does not always require a complete stop. The driver may continue without stopping only when the route is clearly safe and no road user with priority is forced to change speed or direction.
Wikimedia.org • Santeri Viinamäki • CC BY-SA
What does giving way mean in Finland?
Finland calls the junction give-way sign Väistämisvelvollisuus risteyksessä. It requires yielding to other vehicles and trams at the junction; the separate turning and crossing duties also apply.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24–27; Annex 3.2 B5–B6 and Annex 4 L1
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
Must you always stop when giving way in Finland?
No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24–27; Annex 3.2 B5–B6 and Annex 4 L1
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
What should you check before proceeding after giving way in Finland?
Wait until the manoeuvre is safe. Check the priority traffic, the view in both directions and enough space to complete the entry. Giving way to one vehicle does not remove duties towards another driver, a cyclist or a pedestrian.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 8, 24–27; Annex 3.2 B5–B6 and Annex 4 L1
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Traffic rules
Finland