The Finnish capital has achieved a historic feat: in 12 months it has recorded no victims on the roads. Thanks to the 30 km/h limit? Not only that, as local experts and the latest international analyzes explain
In the ever-fought debate on the 30 km/h limit in urban areas, a strong assist has arrived for supporters of the legislation. In Helsinki, not a single fatal accident has been recorded in the last twelve months. The latest victim dates back to the beginning of July 2024, a fact that makes the Finnish capital unique on the planet. This result comes despite Helsinki, which with its 650 thousand residents is home to over a tenth of the Finnish population, recorded a record number of tourists last year. There were 4.5 million overnight stays, contributing to “crowding” the city’s streets. To make a comparison, Palermo – which has almost the same number of inhabitants – recorded 27 deaths in road accidents in one year (in 2023, the latest period for which data is available). There’s probably a bit of luck involved too. However, the Finnish capital had set itself the objective of “zero deaths” on the roads by 2050. In recent years it has therefore implemented a series of safety policies that have proven decisive, starting with the 30 km/h limit in many areas of the city.
THE LIMIT WAS 50 KM/H
—
“Many different factors contributed to the result and speed limits are one of the most important,” explained Roni Utriainen, traffic engineer at the city’s Urban Environment Department. Today, speeds cannot exceed 30 km/h on more than half of Helsinki’s streets. Traditionally the limit was set at 50 km/h. Furthermore, with the start of the school year, the limit was extended to all roads near schools. “Public transport in Helsinki is excellent: it reduces car use and, consequently, the number of serious accidents” continues Utriainen. The traffic design also facilitated the life-saving turnaround. Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure has been improved to discourage four-wheel use. In some areas, roads have been narrowed and intentionally blocked by trees, to make driving slower. Finally, the strengthening of automated control systems, such as the installation of 70 new cameras, contributed. Without forgetting that vehicle technology has played a role, given the constant progress and diffusion of Adas on vehicles.
the Greek study
—
The record of the Finnish capital is, at the moment, unique. However, the effects of reducing speed on deaths from road accidents are well known. A study by two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Athens, based on the analysis of data from 40 European cities, has shown that the introduction of speed limits of 30 km/h in urban areas has saved more than 40% of human lives. At the same time, significant positive impacts on the environment, energy and health have been recorded, with lower fuel consumption and an increase in walking and cycling. And it has been found that when speed increases, the risk of accidents and their severity also increase: a 5% increase in the average speed leads to an increase of approximately 10% in all accidents with injuries and 20% in fatal ones. The number of pedestrian deaths goes from 10% in collisions at 30 km/h to 90% in collisions at 50 km/h. “Ultimately, it was seen that the risk of death is almost five times higher in collisions between a car and a pedestrian at 50 km/h compared to the same type of collisions at 30 km/h” explains Eva Michelaraki, author of the study together with George Yannis.
Give the gift of adrenaline at Christmas: choose a driving experience on the track with a supercar starting from €49
COST REDUCTION
—
According to the two researchers, the 30 km/h limit has reduced accidents 40% in Paris, of 16% in Zurich, of 10% in Brussels, of 9% in Helsinki, del 46% in London and the 38% in Edinburgh. Spain introduced 30 km/h limits on most city roads in 2019. “After two years of implementation, Spain has seen a reduction in 20% of deaths on urban roads”, explains Yannis. The drop was 34% for cyclists, 31% for elderly people and 24% for pedestrians. In Bologna, in the period between 15 January and 14 April 2024, there was a decrease in 13.4% of accidents with injuries and 17% of those without injuries compared to 2023. A decrease in the 14.7% of pedestrians involved in accidents, which went from 102 in 2023 to 87 in 2024. Finally, the researchers estimate that, if a city like Athens imposed a 30 km/h limit in the urban centre, it could save 130 million euros in ten years thanks to the reduction of costs related to accidents.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED