A law prohibiting walking on the slopes may sound like a good idea, especially on a whim or when the surface burns, but such a law would not be without problems if such a law were actually drawn up, writes sports journalist Ismo Uusitupa.
Done I really rubbed my eyes when I read the headline: “Skiers' surface burned – banning walking on the slopes is required by law.”
This had to be a joke. But yes: such a citizens' initiative has been made, and in less than a week it has accumulated more than 1,200 signatures.
In the background is the track rage, which has now started new rounds in the snowy winter. During the snow-free period, the paths used for walking and cycling have been consecrated for skiing in the winter, and not everyone who moves without skis agrees to stay away from them.
Civil disobedience has occurred on several ski slopes.
The measure of the creators of the citizens' initiative was full. That's why the initiative has been taken.
But. Without taking a stand on the rampage itself, let's look at the initiative.
In principle, it may sound like a good idea, especially on the spur of the moment or when the surface burns, but such a law would not be without problems if one were actually drafted.
When a law is passed on something, a penalty is usually defined for breaking this issue. And compliance with the law is monitored and the police decide on the punishment. The initiators propose a fine of 70 euros for walking on the track.
The initiators remind us that according to the Public Order Act, it is not allowed to walk a dog or ride a horse on the slopes. The Criminal Code prohibits causing nuisance and danger, as well as causing damage, but nothing prohibits simply walking on the path.
How many dog walkers have been fined? Or are they away from the tracks in fear of a fine? The latter is hard to believe, because not many people necessarily even know about the existence of the law.
Fines have not been imposed out of the blue, and the same reason applies to this as for the citizens' initiative: the police really do not have the resources to monitor compliance with the law.
Where would be the first track police? What would the track police skis be like? Would traditional track patrols get new dimensions or would track raids be organized? Hotline to catch charger criminals?
One option would be to move sheet metal police officers from the side of the streets to the side of the tracks and have them recognize skiers without skis.
All of these may sound like platitudes, and they are, but at the same time, there is the core of the problem: it is not worth drafting a law that has already been shown to be ineffective in advance.
There is also a fairly recent example of this: during the corona pandemic, there was a strong debate about a law-based mask ban. It would also have been funny to see the police handing out 40 euro fines to citizens without masks.
Second point of view would be that the law would have a mere deterrent effect. It doesn't sound like something belonging to Finnish society.
The discussion about road rage will certainly continue, but in the future it will also take place without recourse to the law, except in cases of vandalism.
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