Finland's traffic authority Fintraffic is preparing to roll out a new traffic lights system across the country, which will give priority to emergency vehicles.

The automated system will allow ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency response units to pass through intersections via a 'green wave' of lights.

In a press release, Fintraffic explained that the initiative is intended to speed up emergency response times and reduce the risk that emergency vehicles get stuck at busy intersections.

The so-called national traffic light priority system, which is set to be introduced this summer, will recognise the location of an emergency vehicle and automatically change the lights to facilitate its passage.

No accidents during pilot project

"All cities, municipalities, and wellbeing services counties are welcome to join the national traffic light priority system. The aim now is to implement a nationwide green wave for rescue and emergency units, enabling them to get help to the scene safely and quickly," Juho Neuvonen, Fintraffic’s Product Manager, explained in a press release on Monday.

Although the new system will be officially in operation from July, rolling it out across the country will take time as traffic systems are tested and updated.

The plan follows a successful pilot project.

"About 700 intersections and 300 emergency vehicles were involved in the pilot phase. No emergency-related accidents occurred at the intersections included in the pilot. This demonstrates the system’s effectiveness in practice, and its impact is especially evident in congested areas where every moment is crucial for rescue and emergency units," Neuvonen said.