Whereas harsh and mandatory penalties for drunk driving were eliminated in Finland in 1977, alcohol policy and transportation policy inimical to drunk driving remained in place. The continued trend toward lower numbers of impaired drivers in Finland indicates that these policies, rather than harsh criminal penalties, may be the better explanation of the success of the Scandinavian countries in reducing drunk driving. The Scandinavian countries have established State monopolies over most production and all distribution of alcohol. No advertising of alcoholic beverages is permitted, and the price of alcoholic beverages, consisting largely of tax, is very high by world standards. Regarding transportation policy, it discourages the ownership and use of private automobiles, especially in urban areas, through high purchase taxes on automobiles and fuel as well as restrictions on lane use and parking and also the provision of ample alternative public transportation. Although public concern with drunk driving in Finland virtually disappeared in mid-1985, it re-emerged a year later with the highly publicized deaths of a mother and child in an alcohol-related accident during the Christmas season. This publicity was accompanied by statistics showing an increase, albeit statistically insignificant, in drunk-driving deaths and incidents. Efforts to enact harsher drunk-driving penalties were countered by opponents who cited the insignificance of the statistical increases and the inequity of proposed harsh drunk-driving penalties compared to sanctions for more serious offenses. The public perception of the seriousness of the problem has again receded without any change in the law. 17 references.