Youth traffic safety requires action – CAP-Group stands alongside

The police recently raised an important issue: promoting a culture of traffic safety among young people requires action from society as a whole (source: poliisi.fi). Inexperience, attitudes, and risk-taking among young drivers still stand out in accident statistics.

At CAP-Group, we want to take our share of responsibility and care for young people. Across our driving schools we are developing diverse training, where young customers are met with empathy. For us, driver training is not only about teaching technical driving skills, but also about attitude education and passing on values. We want every young student to have a meaningful connection with a knowledgeable adult who encourages, listens, and leads by example.

“Sometimes learning calmness and patience is more important than technical skills” 

CAP Driving School instructor Jaapo Karvinen describes his role like this:

“Of course we teach how to start, change lanes and park, but just as important is stopping to talk about why patience and anticipation make you a good driver. For many young people I may be the first adult who really sits down and talks calmly about the risks and values of traffic. It’s a big responsibility, but also a wonderful opportunity.”

This kind of interaction gives young people much more than just the ability to pass a driving test. It can build trust, self-confidence, and safe behavioral models for the long term. It is important that young people hear from a professional trainer that youth itself makes risk assessment more difficult, and that they get to discuss and reflect on what that means for them personally.

 
Age exemption permits require review

The age exemption permit for a driving license, which allows young people to apply for a license at 17, has been a useful solution in Finland for easing everyday life. For many, it has enabled smoother daily routines when, for example, school journeys are long. However, the current practice, where almost everyone who applies for the exemption receives it, has effectively lowered the minimum age for a category B license to 17, with training beginning as early as 16.

In 2024, there were already slightly more 17-year-olds (18,492) than 18-year-olds (18,380) obtaining a B license. Of the 22,321 applications for age exemptions, 20,603 were granted – 92% in total (Source: Traficom). We can no longer talk about an “exception,” but rather a rule. This widespread practice challenges the reasoning and research basis that originally defined 18 as the general minimum age.

It would therefore be justified to re-examine the conditions for granting age exemptions, and also to study accident and traffic offense statistics to determine whether there are significant differences between those who obtained their license at 17 versus 18. From a youth traffic safety perspective, tightening the criteria for exemptions or introducing new safety requirements for younger drivers could be warranted. Alternatively, if the minimum age for obtaining a license is effectively lowered, driver training requirements and program design must take into account that students are younger than before. In our driving schools, we have already noticed this shift toward younger students, and we adapt our training to support them in facing the challenges of traffic and risk awareness accordingly.

With an instructor’s support, winter challenges become learning opportunities

It is very natural that most people begin driving school in spring, when daylight and dry roads return, and summer is ahead. However, from a traffic safety and even psychological readiness perspective, it would be highly advisable for more young people to start in late autumn and gain experience in winter conditions. Especially during winter, young drivers gain valuable experience in assessing risks and adapting to changing conditions. Snowy and icy roads teach anticipation, maintaining calm, and making more deliberate decisions. Winter also helps prevent overestimation of one’s skills and gives instructors numerous opportunities to highlight risk factors during practical training.

When these situations are practiced under the guidance of a professional driving instructor, students gain not only technical skills but also calm support and immediate feedback. This makes learning safer and helps internalize how to act independently in similar situations.

The more experience young drivers gain of darkness, snow, and ice during their studies and immediately after receiving their license, the stronger and more versatile the foundation becomes for a predictive driving style – also in summer conditions. In addition, scheduling lessons in winter is often easier due to better availability, and driving tests can be taken sooner, while the learning is fresh.

A shared goal

The police’s message is clear: improving youth traffic safety requires action from all of us. CAP-Group wants to be part of this effort, caring for young people and giving them a safe start in traffic – all year round.

Every new driver deserves an adult by their side who leads by example. That is something we hold close to heart.