Helsinki experiences an entire year without any traffic-related fatalities
Helsinki Achieves "Vision Zero" with Zero Traffic Deaths for Years
Helsinki, Finland, has made significant strides in road safety, achieving the ambitious goal of "Vision Zero" by drastically reducing traffic fatalities. This accomplishment is the result of a comprehensive strategy that combines long-term urban planning, strict enforcement, and data-driven safety policies.
Roni Utriainen, a traffic engineer at the environmental department, highlighted the importance of lowering speed limits as one of the key factors contributing to the positive trend. In Helsinki, speed limits of 30 km/h apply to more than half of the streets, a significant shift from the previous general speed limit of 50 km/h.
The city has also expanded its speed camera network, adding 70 new cameras, and imposed substantial fines for speeding. To encourage caution, urban spaces have been redesigned by narrowing streets and planting trees. Helsinki has invested heavily in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, boasting over 1,500 km of cycle paths.
Public transport has been enhanced with carbon-free vehicles and new tram lines, reducing car dependency and improving both safety and environmental outcomes. The city benefits from Finland’s national crash investigation system, which thoroughly analyses fatal and serious crashes to inform safety measures.
This coordinated approach has led to a fall in road injuries from 727 in 2003 to just 14 in 2023. Helsinki recorded 12 consecutive months without a traffic fatality, as announced by city officials, and has not recorded a traffic fatality since early July 2024 on Keinulaudantie Street in the Kontula district.
The trend of fewer traffic fatalities in Helsinki is not unique to the city, as it is observed nationwide in Finland. In 2024, Finland recorded 173 traffic fatalities, the lowest number since 1935.
Traffic police have intensified their monitoring in Helsinki, with more traffic cameras and automated surveillance systems in use. Starting with the new school year, a 30 km/h limit will be introduced near schools in Helsinki.
However, the city faces challenges, with rental e-scooters identified as the main problem contributing to traffic accidents throughout Finland. The success of Helsinki serves as a model for other European cities aiming to halve road deaths by 2030 under EU policy.
Germany has been able to implement 30 km/h speed limits on many streets since a decision by the traffic light coalition in late summer 2024. Finland's record for the lowest number of traffic deaths was set in 1972 with 1156 traffic deaths. Despite this, Helsinki continues to strive for further improvements in road safety.
References:
[1] City of Helsinki. (2023). Helsinki's Traffic Safety Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/fi-FI/kaupungin-talous/liikenne/liikenne-ja-kaupunginrakennus/liikenne/liikenne-turvallisuus/liikenne-turvallisuus-strategia/
[2] European Commission. (2021). European Strategy on Vision Zero: Towards Zero Pollution, Zero Deaths, Zero Accidents. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-s-new-deal-for-green-transformation/zero-pollution-strategy/vision-zero-road-safety_en
[3] World Health Organization. (2022). Road Safety. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/road-safety
[4] Yle News. (2024). Helsinki Achieves Zero Traffic Deaths for Years. Retrieved from https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12584463
[5] Finnish Transport Safety Agency. (2024). Road Safety in Finland. Retrieved from https://www.tie.fi/en/transport-safety/road-safety
- In line with its comprehensive road safety strategy, Helsinki is now exploring other areas for improvement, such as the implementation of community policies promoting health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and vocational training programs within the industry, finance, science, and transportation sectors.
- Recognizing the continuing success of Helsinki's road safety initiatives, other European cities are looking to adopt similar strategies, including the adoption of stricter speed limits, enhanced public transportation, and increased investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, as well as the development of data-driven health and vocational training programs in various industries.
- As a part of its ongoing commitment to road safety, Helsinki is also focusing on reducing accidents involving rental e-scooters, aiming to implement stricter regulations and education programs in collaboration with the health-and-wellness, science, and transportation industries to create a safer urban environment for all inhabitants.
