Satellite navigators are becoming increasingly common and more sophisticated, but drivers would do well to remember that they are no substitute for common sense.

GPS-run satellite-navigation (sat-nav) systems for cars, once restricted to certain areas, is now becoming available to drivers globe over. One indication of this is that the NaviFeed service offered by Finnish company Foreca now provides weather updates, forecasts and animations for any part of the world.

Although a nightmare to keep in the city, a car is sometimes simply the most convenient way of getting around. Luckily there are alternatives available for infrequent drivers, from fixed-term leasing to pay-as-you-go car-sharing.

PUBLIC transport in the Greater Helsinki region is relatively good, but outside the major cities the situation is very different. In the countryside a car is often a simple necessity, but even in more urban areas few people can get around with public transport alone.