In a significant achievement, Helsinki has reported zero pedestrian fatalities in 2023, a milestone officials attribute to stringent speed regulations implemented over recent years. The city, with a metropolitan population of approximately 1.5 million, introduced a reduced speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour in most residential areas and the city center in 2021. This decision was influenced by data indicating that the likelihood of pedestrian fatalities is halved when vehicle impact speeds are reduced from 40 to 30 kilometers per hour, reports 24brussels.
Roni Utriainen, a traffic engineer in the city’s Urban Environment Division, emphasized the crucial role of speed limits among various factors contributing to this success. The initiative has been coupled with the installation of 70 new speed cameras and enforcement measures guided by Finland’s “Vision Zero” policy aimed at achieving zero traffic injuries and fatalities. According to data from Liikenneturva, Finland’s traffic safety agency, Helsinki has consistently seen a decline in traffic-related fatalities since these measures were put in place.
European model
Helsinki’s urban authorities have been working over the past five years to replicate the success of 2019, when there were no deaths among pedestrians or cyclists due to vehicular accidents. Utriainen noted that this success hinges on data-driven, long-term mobility policies and urban development strategies designed to shift the city’s focus away from a car-centric model. As part of these strategies, many roads have been narrowed, and trees have been planted to create a more complex urban environment, compelling drivers to navigate with greater caution in densely populated areas.
This focused approach to traffic safety not only aims to protect pedestrians but also seeks to promote a cultural shift in transportation habits within the city, fostering a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment for residents and visitors alike.
