Safe roads in Helsinki

Good News with Sonny Vibes

In this episode of Good News with Sonny Vibes, we dive into some incredible progress out of Helsinki, Finland — the city has officially gone a whole year without a single traffic death. 🚦

What makes this so remarkable isn’t luck: it’s years of deliberate planning, people-first policies, and a commitment to the philosophy known as Vision Zero. We’ll unpack how the city has:

• Slashed speed limits (many streets are now 30 km/h), especially in residential zones and around schools

• Redesigned streets for safety: better crosswalks, safer intersections, improved lighting, and separated traffic flows

• Invested in walking, cycling and reliable public transit to reduce car dependency

• Boosted enforcement with more speed cameras and stricter policing

We’ll also explore why this isn’t just a win for Helsinki, but a possible blueprint for cities everywhere. What lessons can others learn from Helsinki’s journey? And can these approaches work in cities with very different geography, budgets, or traffic cultures?

Tune in to find out how zero traffic fatalities went from wishful thinking to a powerful, attainable goal—and how the right set of policies can turn what seems impossible into reality.

Credits:

• Story originally reported by Politico Europe: “Helsinki reports zero road deaths in 2023”

• Data and insights sourced from Helsinki city officials and the Vision Zero road safety program.