The Kymenlaakso District Court has sentenced a 61-year-old man from Kouvola to a 50-day suspended prison sentence for serious endangerment of road safety. This ruling stems from a reckless overtaking maneuver he attempted in April 2024 on Highway 15. The man, driving an empty truck, sought to overtake another truck and a timber truck ahead of him, prompting concerns about the safety of such maneuvers in that area.

The incident occurred on a straight stretch of highway that slightly descends, and the driver felt pressed for time as he aimed to reach the UPM plant in Kymin before his shift change. He noted in a police report that he had been driving on this route between Kotka and Kouvola for nearly 30 years and had overtaken trucks in the same spot before. However, the court determined that this particular maneuver posed a significant risk of a head-on collision, given the traffic conditions at the time.

This case raises important questions about road safety, especially concerning the behaviors of experienced drivers in high-stakes situations. While the driver claimed familiarity with the route, the court's decision highlights the potential dangers of complacency and the need for all drivers to adhere strictly to safety regulations, particularly during overtaking. The sentence serves both as a punishment and a deterrent to similar future offenses on Finland's highways.