Finland's Transport Minister Lulu Ranne suggests stricter alcohol limits for inexperienced drivers. She wants to lower the blood alcohol limit for new motorists to 0.2 promille from the current 0.5 promille threshold.
The proposal comes as part of broader driver's license reforms currently under discussion. These reforms include nighttime driving restrictions for 17-year-olds and tighter requirements for exceptional permits.
Ranne argues that traffic safety justifies the stricter approach. She personally believes general alcohol limits should be lowered across road and water traffic.
"When you listen to experts, it makes a huge difference," Ranne said in a statement. "You're slightly impaired even after a small drink. Traffic and substances simply don't mix."
The minister points to neighboring Nordic countries as examples. Both Sweden and Norway maintain 0.2 promille drunk driving limits.
However, Ranne acknowledges political challenges. She doesn't expect the current government to change general limits during this term.
"We certainly won't change them during this government term," she noted. "I don't believe there's common desire for that."
A national traffic safety strategy update is in preparation. This could establish new guidelines and objectives for road safety.
The transport safety agency previously proposed lowering boating limits to 0.5 promille. Current regulations allow 1.0 promille for recreational boating, with rowboats completely unregulated.
Ranne has consistently supported lower limits across all transport sectors. She expressed frustration about the slow pace of change.
"One promille is terribly high," she stated. "I can't understand it personally, but some people do and the matter doesn't progress."
The minister recognizes her position might prove unpopular but insists public safety comes first.
"I know I won't make many friends with these statements," Ranne admitted. "There might be quite some feedback. But we won't reach zero traffic deaths if we let things continue arbitrarily."
Finland's traffic safety strategy aims for all transport modes to become so safe by 2050 that no one dies or suffers serious injuries.
The political reality suggests immediate changes remain unlikely despite safety arguments. This reflects the ongoing tension between evidence-based policy and public acceptance of stricter regulations.