Words by Kairi Rojas
Most places have the same outcome when it comes to speeding: a fat ticket. You go too fast, the police pull you over and hand you a slip of white paper, leaving you a bit more annoyed with your day. But not in the country of Estonia. If you get caught over the limit in this quaint European nation, you might actually end up in “timeout” instead.
The idea is as unique as it is constructive; built on the idea of being put in timeout, like a wayward toddler behind the wheel. The reprimand is really about sitting and thinking about what you did wrong, and alternative to reaching into your bank account.
Estonian police brought the concept to life in 2019 to give people the opportunity to either pay the ticket or have a “cooling-off” period for minor speeding violations and it has stuck ever since. Eligible drivers who speed over the limit by up to 20 km/h are able to pull their cars to the side of the road and sit there for 45 minutes, while speeding 21 to 40 km/h qualifies them for a 60-minute timeout. More serious speeding violations, on the other hand, still have consequences such as conventional fines and other penalties.
The timeout truly gives drivers the time to ponder. No phones, no distractions, just true dedication to reflect on why you had to get to your destination so quickly in the first place. The Estonian police believe instead of simply taking money from someone’s wallet, the measure would force people to recognize the harm in speeding and prevent further violations.
So, reconsider your relationship with the accelerator next time you’re in Estonia. Slow on down, the views are immaculate anyways. Not your jam? Well, there might be a timeout in your future.
