Helsinki Records a Year Without Road Fatalities, Setting a Global Benchmark for Street Safety

From January 2024 through December 2025 Helsinki logged no road deaths, marking the first full year without a single fatality on its streets. At the time of reporting, a further nine months of zero deaths had passed. In the same period Paris recorded 31 road fatalities.

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A 40-year program introduced a city-wide 30 km/h limit 20 years ago and a zero-tolerance stance on speeding and impairment. Traffic engineer Roni Utriainen, cyclist specialist Martti Tulenheimo, cycling-municipality expert Matti Hirvonen, police superintendent Dennis Pasterstein, and Liikenneturva director Pasi Anteroinen have coordinated design, enforcement, and national targets.

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The city narrowed roadways, built pedestrian-only tunnels and bridges, and installed 70 speed cameras. In 2025 it spent €35 million on cycling and pedestrian projects—13 % of the traffic-investment budget. Strong public transport reduced car trips, and a private-car ban near the Central Railway Station is planned for 2030.

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Helsinki’s zero-death year demonstrates that coordinated speed reductions, extensive surveillance, and investment in active-transport infrastructure can dramatically lower road fatalities. The model offers EU capitals a data-driven pathway to improve safety despite larger populations and traffic volumes.

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City officials say safety stems from engineering changes, user behavior, vehicle standards, and enforcement. Police stress the role of 70 speed cameras and routine speed and alcohol checks across all transport modes. The Finnish Road Safety Council notes the 40-year target is now met and calls for long-term goal setting. Cycling groups point to the €35 million investment as a catalyst for safer streets.

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Officials note that public acceptance is a key issue. While Helsinki residents have expressed a desire for safer streets, aligning expectations with measures such as the planned private-car ban around the Central Railway Station presents a challenge.

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By 2030 Helsinki will prohibit private cars on streets surrounding the Central Railway Station, expand pedestrian-only tunnels, and maintain the 30 km/h speed-limit network to preserve the zero-death record.

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• “Of course, improving the safety of our traffic environment is important, but so is safer road user behaviour, safer vehicles, and legislation or traffic enforcement are important,” — Roni Utriainen, Traffic Engineer, City of Helsinki Urban Environment Division

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• “The overall sentiment of safety has improved quite significantly during the last decade,” — Martti Tulenheimo, Chief Specialist, Finnish Cyclists' Federation

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• “Last year Helsinki invested about €35 million in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, which sounds maybe a big sum, but it's still only 13% of the whole traffic investment budget,” — Matti Hirvonen, Chief Specialist, Network of Finnish Cycling Municipalities

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• “The city has increased automatic surveillance. We have 70 automatic speed cameras. On top of that, we have traffic controls, where speed limits and alcohol levels come under scrutiny. Of course, all modes of transport are controlled,” — Dennis Pasterstein, Superintendent & Head of Traffic Control Operations, Helsinki Police Department

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