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Week 41 (5.–11.10.2026): autumn driving, level crossings and a new BMW

Motoring news for week 41, 5.–11.10.2026: visibility on autumn mornings, level-crossing safety, young moped riders and the BMW iX3 M60.

SK Ajossa brings together four news stories from the week of 5–11 October 2026. What should you check to ensure good visibility on autumn mornings, what do the latest level crossing figures tell us, and how can adults support young moped riders? In our new-model story, we explain the background to BMW’s announced range and charging figures.

Car on an autumn city street, illustrative image
Illustrative image from SK Katsastus’s media library. It does not depict an event from this week’s news or the BMW model mentioned in the article.

Make sure you can see clearly before setting off on autumn mornings

On 7 October, Liikenneturva reminded drivers that low sun, fog and rapidly changing grip make autumn commutes more challenging. Cleaning the inside of the windscreen is important too: dirt on the glass scatters light and makes it harder to see when there is glare.

Allow enough time before setting off and use the car’s demisting system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wait until you have adequate visibility in every direction. A small clear patch on the windscreen is not enough to see the traffic around you. It is worth checking that the windows are clean before you find yourself driving directly towards the low sun.

Keep reassessing conditions as you drive: a route that looks clear may still have patches of fog, wet leaves or a shaded stretch made slippery by a cold night. Reduce your speed when visibility or grip deteriorates and leave a greater following distance. This gives you more time to observe and react.

Liikenneturva release, 7.10.2026

Fewer level crossing accidents, but more serious consequences

Traficom’s review published on 6 October covers 2025. There were ten level crossing accidents, one fewer than in 2024. However, five people died in them, whereas there were no fatalities the previous year. The number of accidents and the severity of their consequences therefore need to be considered separately.

The review found that the overall picture for railways was positive: there were no collisions between trains, despite an increase in traffic. This does not eliminate the risks at level crossings. Nor do the annual figures explain what caused an individual accident or how safe a particular level crossing is.

Liikenneturva’s general guide to level crossings gives drivers practical advice: slow down, obey the stop sign and check both directions by looking and listening. Do not cross the tracks when a train is approaching, the warning signals are active, or a barrier is down or lowering. Wait until the barriers have risen and the warnings have stopped. Check again that no other train is coming. A familiar route or a remembered timetable is no substitute for checking.

Traficom release, 6.10.2026

Background guidance: Liikenneturva’s level crossing guide.

Moped safety starts at home too

In her expert article published on 8 October, Liikenneturva training instructor Minna Jokinen highlighted adults’ responsibility. Young people develop their attitudes to traffic before they obtain a moped licence. Adults’ own approach to rules sets an example of whether they are treated as shared rules or as flexible depending on the situation.

At home, you can start the conversation with a concrete situation: what would you do if a friend pressured you to ride too fast, or people at a meet started doing wheelies in traffic? Think together in advance about how to leave a dangerous situation. Take an interest in moped maintenance too, and check together whether the vehicle is safe and legal.

Jokinen sees meets that follow the rules as a positive recreational activity. Supervised activities can cover protective equipment, attentiveness and staying free of alcohol and drugs. The central message is ongoing support and road safety education; the article does not announce a new change in the law or publish new accident statistics.

Liikenneturva expert article, 8.10.2026

BMW iX3 M60: what do the provisional figures tell us?

BMW unveiled the electric iX3 M60 xDrive on 8 October. The two motors have a stated combined output of 450 kW, and the battery has a usable capacity of 108.7 kWh. According to the manufacturer, the WLTP range reaches up to 754 kilometres and peak DC charging power is 400 kW. All these technical figures are still provisional.

For car buyers, an important distinction is between test figures and their own driving. BMW says that binding WLTP figures are not yet available. Actual range depends on factors such as weather, driving style, load and the use of heating. Charging power also depends on the charging station and the battery’s state of charge and temperature. 400 kW is the manufacturer’s stated maximum power, which is not promised in every charging situation.

Production is scheduled to begin in Debrecen, Hungary, in spring 2027. According to the international press release, orders will open at the end of January 2027. The release does not confirm Finnish pricing or delivery times, so anyone comparing purchase options should also wait for local sales information.

BMW global release, 8.10.2026

Check your own car next

Check your car’s condition with SK’s vehicle inspection checklist. If your inspection deadline is approaching, choose a suitable SK station and book an appointment.

This roundup covers ISO week 41, 5–11 October 2026. The publication dates and information in the news sources were checked on 12 October 2026. The level crossing guide provides background advice and is not a new story from the week. Article expanded on 12 October 2026.

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