Driving Safety: Finland vs. South Korea Explained
When exploring the roads of Finland and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and documentation requirements, each country presents unique approaches to vehicular navigation. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
finland:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Signals
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
south korea:
Yes