Only six out of ten know that you can get a fine for not using your turn signals

A striking number of Swedes lack basic knowledge of traffic rules, and the level of knowledge is only marginally higher among those who drive, according to our Sifo survey.

Do you sometimes feel uncertain about which traffic rules apply at an intersection, at a pedestrian crossing or how much you can load your car with? Then you are not alone. When Kantar Sifo, on behalf of Kvdbil , tested the knowledge of 1,316 Swedes, of whom 1,055 were motorists, the error rate increased rapidly after obvious things such as always wearing a seat belt and not driving drunk were covered.

Among other things, a quarter (26%) of the participants were unaware that it is a criminal offence to fail to yield to cars coming from the right at an intersection where no other right-of-way rules are posted, the so-called right-of-way rule. Almost as many (24%) also did not know that pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks. And only six out of ten (60%) were aware of something as basic as using your turn signals at intersections.

Among more hidden traffic rules, the knowledge gap was, not surprisingly, even greater. Questions such as whether it is permissible to rev the engine, or run out of washer fluid and drive with a dirty windshield, had more incorrect answers than correct ones. Whether it is within the law to have loose pets, drive too slowly, or not have a warning triangle were other areas where many people answered incorrectly.

– Sometimes you get the impression that some people follow their own traffic rules, and this can possibly be seen as confirmation of that. One can only hope that they drive in safe cars and still show some form of consideration for fellow road users, comments Daniel Odsberg, Sales Manager Kvdbil .

Are you up to speed on traffic rules? Compare yourself with over 1,300 Swedes

Which of the following actions/behavior can you be fined for? Drivers' answers in brackets.

To rev the engine

Yes: 15% (14%)

No: 56% (61%)

Don't know: 29% (25%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,000

The roar of the engine may sound like a beautiful song to your ears, but it may not be appreciated as much by others. The risk is that you will go there for “causing unnecessary noise with a motorized vehicle”.

Not using turn signals when changing direction

Yes: 60% (62%)

No: 19% (20%)

Don't know: 21% (18%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 500

If you neglect to use your turn signals, you not only become a danger to your fellow road users, but you also risk a fine.

Windshield washer fluid out

Yes: 17% (19%)

No: 52% (54%)

Don't know: 30% (27%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 500

A dirty windshield can get you a fine, so make sure to top up your windshield washer fluid regularly.

Duty to yield at unsupervised pedestrian crossings

Yes: 76% (80%)

No: 7% (7%)

Don't know: 17% (14%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 3,000

Pedestrians have priority at unattended crosswalks, whether they are at the crosswalk or about to exit.

Mobile phone use without hands-free

Yes: 95% (97%)

No: 2% (2%)

Don't know: 3% (1%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,500

Previously, there was no law prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving, as long as it did not affect your driving. However, after February 1, 2018, you are not allowed to use a mobile phone held in your hand (hands-free is allowed). The ban also applies to other hand-held communication devices.

Not giving way to traffic from the right at an intersection where no other yield rules apply

Yes: 75% (77%)

No: 10% (10%)

Don't know: 16% (13%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 2,000

At an intersection where no other yield rules apply, the right-of-way rule applies. According to the right-of-way rule, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right of way and has the right to drive first.

Driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street

Yes: 94% (96%)

No: 2% (1%)

Don't know: 4% (3%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,000

Driving in one-way traffic is not permitted.

Violation of parking restrictions

Yes: 91% (92%)

No: 4% (4%)

Don't know: 6% (3%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: 75-1,300 SEK

If you violate the parking regulations, such as exceeding the time allowed for parking or failing to use a parking disc where required, you risk having to pay a parking fine. The municipality sets the parking fine, which ranges from 75 to 1,300 SEK.

Overloading the vehicle

Yes: 83% (87%)

No: 6% (5%)

Don't know: 11% (8%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 500 and up

Overloading is not only a risk for trucks, but also for passenger cars. The penalty for overloading varies depending on the severity of the violation.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Yes: 97% (98%)

No: 1% (1%)

Don't know: 2% (1%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,500 – 200,000 (depending on the size of the daily fine)

Getting behind the wheel with alcohol or drugs in your blood is never okay. The penalty for drunk driving ranges from a fine to 6 months in prison. In the case of aggravated drunk driving, the penalty is imprisonment for a maximum of two years.

Not removing snow from the car roof

Yes: 70% (75%)

No: 14% (12%)

Don't know: 16% (13%)

Correct answer: No

Having loose snow on your car roof can be dangerous as it can blow off and create dangerous situations for other road users. However, according to the legal system, it is usually not something you can be fined for.

Not having the warning triangle in the car

Yes: 65% (70%)

No: 13% (13%)

Don't know: 21% (17%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: 500 SEK

A warning triangle must be in the car so that it can be displayed if, for example, an accident occurs or if your engine stalls.

Not wearing a seat belt

Yes: 95% (97%)

No: 2% (2%)

Don't know: 3% (1%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,500-2,500 (depending on whether the unbelted person is over or under 15 years old)

Remember, the seat belt should always be on!

Having pets loose in the car

Yes: 50% (54%)

No: 23% (22%)

Don't know: 28% (25%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,500

Dogs and cats should be placed in a combination space or in a cage, where they have access to shade. Loose pets pose a traffic hazard and also increase the risk of injury.

Driving too slowly

Yes: 54% (54%)

No: 27% (28%)

Don't know: 19% (17%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,000

If you keep your speed too low, you obstruct traffic.

Dirty license plate

Yes: 77% (80%)

No: 8% (7%)

Don't know: 15% (13%)

Correct answer: Yes

Fine: SEK 1,500

The license plate should be legible, so make sure to keep it clean!

About the survey
The survey was conducted in Kantar Media's web panel (Sifopanelen) during the period 4–8 January 2024. A total of 1316 people aged 18-79 were interviewed, of which 1055 had access to a car. The web panel is nationally representative and recruited based on random selection. There is no self-recruitment in Kantar Media's web panel (Sifopanelen).