There was a time when Finland's modestly sized capital would record 30 or so road deaths a year, plus another 1,000 victims of traumatic injury.
Now, no deaths in the past year. What happened?
Speed, or, more correctly, the lack of it.
About half of Helsinki’s streets now have a limit of 30km/h, imposed in 2021, dropping speeds from the previous 50km/h maximum.
The lower-speed zones have been confined to residential streets and the central city area, but as the summer holidays wind up and schools go back, 30km/h will be expanded to all school precincts.
As Helsinki moved to slower speeds, pedestrian deaths have come down dramatically, even though many of its pedestrian crossings are considered substandard. Now that problem is on the agenda to be fixed.
Bicycle deaths and injuries are also well down, with 2019 a standout with not a single bike rider or pedestrian fatality that year.
Remarkably, between 2003 and 2023, the number of traffic-related injuries in the city dropped from 727 to just 14.
Finland follows the same Vision Zero safe systems road safety approach as Australian states, the difference being they walk the talk when it comes to speed reduction.
According to Roni Utriainen, a traffic engineer with the city’s Urban Environment Division, automatic enforcement using multiple traffic cameras has also been a critical factor in the success. And fines are tied to offender income.
Utriainen said the success is also attributable to data-driven, long-term transport policies and urban development strategies that have transformed the capital.
In many parts of the city, roads have been narrowed, and trees have been planted with the deliberate goal of making drivers less relaxed so that they are more alert and cautious moving through populated areas.
The city has also invested in new pedestrian and bike infrastructure, including a comprehensive network of bike paths that spans over 1,500 kilometres.
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