SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Midsummer traffic is at its worst

The days around Midsummer Eve are some of the year's most congested. To avoid accidents and queues, it's essential to be well-rested – and not to rush. There are certain times when the traffic is at its worst, says the Swedish Transport Administration's press chief Bengt Olsson.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 15:56

» Published: 19 June 2024

Midsummer traffic is at its worst
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT & Johan Nilsson/TT

The days around Midsummer Eve are some of the year's most congested. To avoid accidents and queues, it's essential to be well-rested – and not to stress.

There are certain times when traffic is at its worst, says the Swedish Transport Administration's press chief Bengt Olsson.

In the run-up to the celebrations, it can be stressful, and after a few snaps and pickled herring, fatigue can become pronounced. It's one of the country's biggest traffic weekends, with between 2.5 and 3 million vehicles taking to the roads at Midsummer.

The main reason for accidents during the Midsummer weekend is that people are stressed and make poor decisions, says Bengt Olsson.

Long queues are possible

On Thursday between lunchtime and 6 pm, and on Midsummer Eve between 9 am and 2 pm, there are the most people on the roads. It can also be hectic on Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm when many are heading home from the celebrations.

There can be queues everywhere, it depends entirely on what happens. If there's an accident, it can lead to queues very quickly, even on the major roads.

The roads that are particularly congested are the E6 between Strömstad and Malmö, the E22 between Norrköping and Kalmar, as well as the roads around Siljan and Mälaren. The roads leading to ferry terminals to reach the Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Bohuslän archipelagos are also highly congested.

The E4 is the pulse of Sweden. There will be a lot of traffic all the way to Luleå, says Bengt Olsson.

All diversion routes, following the landslide on the E6 in Stenungsund, will have a lot of traffic.

"Take a little extra rest"

It's safest to drive on the country's major, dual-carriageway roads, as well as on roads with speed cameras, as drivers are more likely to adhere to speed limits, according to Bengt Olsson.

It's essential to take it a bit easier and let the journey be part of the Midsummer celebrations. It's a collaboration on the roads, and everyone needs to help.

He also wants to highlight the importance of getting a little extra rest before getting behind the wheel and driving home from the celebrations towards the end of the weekend.

It's not just the car that needs to be filled with energy, says Bengt Olsson.

The police promise checks

On Midsummer Day, many people get behind the wheel under the influence. The police say they will, like every other year, carry out checks on Midsummer Day.

People seem to forget, but the rules are simple. Drive sober, follow the speed limit, don't look at your mobile, and keep a safe distance, says the police's press spokesperson Mattias Rutegård.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Researchers: With High Probability, Russian Sabotage
2 MIN READ

Researchers: With High Probability, Russian Sabotage

Cable Break in the Baltic Sea May Be Sabotage
2 MIN READ

Cable Break in the Baltic Sea May Be Sabotage

Criticized Journal System May Be Delayed
2 MIN READ

Criticized Journal System May Be Delayed

Verdict on deceived berry pickers appealed to the Supreme Court
1 MIN READ

Verdict on deceived berry pickers appealed to the Supreme Court

Teenagers traveled to Växjö to kill – sentenced
1 MIN READ

Teenagers traveled to Växjö to kill – sentenced

The Green Party reports Ebba Busch to the Constitutional Committee
1 MIN READ

The Green Party reports Ebba Busch to the Constitutional Committee

Investigation into balcony collapse dropped
1 MIN READ

Investigation into balcony collapse dropped

Car drove into watercourse – woman found dead
1 MIN READ

Car drove into watercourse – woman found dead

Charge for pub shooting – one seriously injured
2 MIN READ

Charge for pub shooting – one seriously injured

Four-year-old died from overdose – parents prosecuted
1 MIN READ

Four-year-old died from overdose – parents prosecuted

Remains of murdered man found – eight years later
1 MIN READ

Remains of murdered man found – eight years later

The King in Singapore without the Queen
1 MIN READ

The King in Singapore without the Queen

Boy held captive for six days – several charged
2 MIN READ

Boy held captive for six days – several charged

Two arrested for shooting at residence in Nacka
1 MIN READ

Two arrested for shooting at residence in Nacka

Large increase in care for parents of teenagers
1 MIN READ

Large increase in care for parents of teenagers

Breakthrough: Seven out of ten fatal shootings are solved
3 MIN READ

Breakthrough: Seven out of ten fatal shootings are solved

SMHI expands warning – powerful snowstorms expected
2 MIN READ

SMHI expands warning – powerful snowstorms expected

Preschools Review One-on-One Work After Abuse
1 MIN READ

Preschools Review One-on-One Work After Abuse

Wandering Child Soldiers - "the new normal"
3 MIN READ

Wandering Child Soldiers - "the new normal"

Difficult-to-stop outbreak of mycoplasma – spreading
3 MIN READ

Difficult-to-stop outbreak of mycoplasma – spreading