In the summer months, the number of assignments related to crimes against the protection of life and health increases by about one quarter, said National Police Board in a press release on Thursday.
The police receive about 4,000 such assignments per month during the winter months, while the corresponding number is more than 5,000 per month during the summer.
This is partly attributable to the increased use of alcohol and its effects, said police.
“A person’s behaviour may be more boisterous than usual, and, on the other hand, the tolerance of others may be reduced, which increases the risk of conflicts. A verbal quarrel can lead to a scuffle, and in the worst case to a boxing match or even worse. Almost all homicides in Finland are committed while drunk or intoxicated. Intoxicants expose you to become both the perpetrator and the victim”, said Chief Superintendent of National Police Board Kai Vepsäläinen.
Meanwhile, summer months are also the busiest period for police assignments related to accidents or other dangerous situations even though they only constitute a small part of the total number of police assignments.
The number is three to four times higher compared to the winter months.
According to Kai Vepsäläinen, driving while drunk is usually more common during the summer months, especially in traffic to and from a summer cottage and in connection with various events.
Spending time at the summer cottage and at events is often associated with alcohol, and people may not always be aware of their deteriorated driving condition the next day or after the event has ended.
Excessive speeding and swerving off the road are also typical occurrences in summer traffic.
Serious traffic accidents involving young persons in particular are characterised by the use of alcohol and other intoxicants, high speeds, and not wearing a seatbelt.
“A dry and sunny weather may tempt some to test what their vehicle can do, and then all it takes is a small unforeseen situation or limited driver’s abilities, and the consequences can be drastic and tragic due to the high speed involved,” Vepsäläinen added.
- Crimes
- Rise
- Summer
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
