Residential areaFinland
Traffic rules
Finland
1. Residential area
A residential area is a street or group of streets where housing and access to local properties are the main functions. Drivers should expect pedestrians, cyclists, children, parked vehicles and vehicles entering or leaving driveways.
Some countries identify particular residential areas with traffic signs and apply special low-speed and residential-area rules. The speed limit, pedestrian rights, parking rules and permitted road users therefore depend on local signs and regulations.
How do people refer to a residential area in Finland?
In mainland Finland, the Finnish term is pihakatu; the Swedish term used in Finland is gårdsgata. These identify a signed category with special pedestrian, speed and parking rules.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 14, 43; Annex 3 E24–E25
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
Start of a residential area.
English • Traffic sign E24 • Residential area. Residential-area traffic rules apply within E24 and E25. Normally placed at the road's right edge.
Suomi • Liikennemerkki E24 • Pihakatu. Merkkien E24 ja E25 rajoittamalla alueella on noudatettava pihakadulla voimassa olevia liikennesääntöjä. Merkki sijoitetaan yleensä tien oikeaan reunaan.
Svenska • Vägmärke E24 • Gårdsgata. Inom det område som begränsas av märkena E24 och E25 ska gällande trafikregler för gårdsgator iakttas. Märket placeras i allmänhet på vägens högra sida.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.5 (FI)
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.5 (SV)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia original
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
End of the residential area.
English • Traffic sign E25 • End of residential area. Normally placed at the road's right or left edge.
Suomi • Liikennemerkki E25 • Pihakatu päättyy. Merkki sijoitetaan yleensä tien oikeaan tai vasempaan reunaan.
Svenska • Vägmärke E25 • Gårdsgata upphör. Märket placeras i allmänhet på vägens högra eller vänstra sida.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.5 (FI)
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.5 (SV)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia original
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
What speed limit applies in a residential area in Finland?
In the specially signposted category, speed must be adjusted to pedestrians and must not exceed 20 km/h. The maximum does not justify driving that fast when people are nearby.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 14, 43; Annex 3 E24–E25
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
What rights do pedestrians have in a signposted residential area in Finland?
In mainland Finland, pedestrians may use all parts of the street and drivers must give way to them. Pedestrians must not hinder motor vehicles unnecessarily.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 14, 43; Annex 3 E24–E25
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
Where may I park in a residential area in Finland?
In mainland Finland, motor vehicles normally require designated parking places in this signed category. The law provides specific exceptions, including bicycles, mopeds and vehicles with eligible disability or home-care parking permits, provided the parking causes no unreasonable obstruction.
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 14, 43; Annex 3 E24–E25
🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text
