GNV News, January 7, 2026

In July 2025, it was revealed that in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, not a single traffic fatality had been recorded in the previous year. This record was broken in August 2025. While Helsinki is considered a relatively small city with a population of just under 690,000, some 1.5 million people live in the greater metropolitan area.

The main factor contributing to this achievement is said to be the reduction of the speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour. Although not applied uniformly, this limit is in effect on more than half of the roads in Helsinki. Authorities also identified high-risk locations for accidents based on data on traffic collisions and driving speeds, as well as feedback from residents. In addition, it has been pointed out that the strengthening of public transport networks such as buses and trams has led to a decrease in private car use. In 2018, the European Union (EU) set a target of halving the number of traffic fatalities by 2030, and Helsinki is considered a good example of this effort.

While Finland has thus succeeded in reducing traffic fatalities, traffic accidents remain a major issue worldwide. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, approximately 1.19 million people die in traffic accidents every year around the world, and more than half of them are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The report also notes that 92% of global traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with contributing factors including weak infrastructure, emergency response, and vehicle safety.

Learn more about traffic accidents caused by drinking → “Why isn’t alcohol more strictly regulated?”

Traffic in Helsinki (Photo: Petri Sipilä / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY 4.0])