Key facts
- Helsinki recorded 12 consecutive months with zero road deaths between 2024 and 2025.
- The city has invested heavily in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure over the past two decades.
- Plans are in place to ban private cars from certain busy downtown areas by 2030.
- A 30 kph speed limit has been enforced for the last 20 years.
- Extensive use of speed cameras and public awareness campaigns are key components of the strategy.
Helsinki has achieved a significant milestone in road safety by recording 12 consecutive months with zero traffic fatalities between 2024 and 2025. This success is the culmination of a 40-year effort focused on comprehensive city planning, infrastructure improvements, and fostering safer road user behavior. The city has implemented reduced speed limits, enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and narrowed roadways. Public transport is also highly developed, contributing to fewer car trips and collisions.
Over the past two decades, Helsinki has made substantial investments in road safety infrastructure, including dedicated tunnels and bridges for pedestrians and cyclists. While the annual investment of approximately €35 million in this area represents 13% of the total traffic budget, it has significantly improved the overall sense of safety. Looking ahead, Helsinki plans to ban private cars from busy streets near the Central Railway Station by 2030.
The city has enforced a 30 kph speed limit for the last 20 years and maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards speeding and driving under the influence. This is supported by 70 automatic speed cameras and regular traffic controls. Extensive communication campaigns, particularly on social media, have also played a crucial role in influencing driver behavior, generating millions of views and amplifying the impact of traffic fines.
The European Union's 'Vision Zero' strategy aims to achieve near-zero road fatalities by 2050, a goal Helsinki has now realized. Experts emphasize that setting clear goals and prioritizing reduced speed limits are critical steps for other cities seeking to improve their road safety records, acknowledging that while each city is unique, continuous improvement is achievable.