Estonian police expand calming stops nationwide in 2025

Estonian police are ramping up their so-called 'calming stop' operations for speeding drivers across the country. Already in 2025, nearly as many drivers have been pulled over for calming stops as in the entire previous year. Police plan around 90 such operations this year.

Estonian police are significantly expanding their use of 'calming stops' — a traffic enforcement measure where speeding drivers are pulled over and required to pause before continuing their journey — with operations now taking place across the whole country in 2025.

Last year, police directed a total of 172 speeding drivers to undergo a calming stop. So far in 2025, that figure has already reached 160, nearly matching the entire 2024 total with much of the year still remaining.

Authorities have planned approximately 90 calming stop operations throughout 2025, indicating that the final annual tally of drivers affected is likely to significantly exceed last year's numbers. The measure is aimed at encouraging safer driving behaviour by giving speeding motorists a mandatory cooling-off period rather than simply issuing a fine.