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Berlin follows Helsinki: road safety needs to be urgently improved!
Accident researchers recommend Berlin adopt the Helsinki road safety model to reduce traffic fatalities.
Berlin follows Helsinki: road safety needs to be urgently improved!
In today's world, it is crucial to find innovative solutions to improve road safety. [zeit.de] reports that traffic experts strongly recommend that the proven traffic safety model from Helsinki be viewed as a model for Berlin. The Finnish capital has successfully taken measures to increase road safety in recent years, which is clearly reflected in the statistics.
Kirstin Zeidler, the insurer's head of accident research (UDV), highlights that Helsinki has recorded an impressive decline in road deaths. In contrast, Berlin still has a lot of catching up to do – especially in terms of transport infrastructure. Statistics show that 55 people died in traffic in Berlin in 2022, including, unfortunately, 24 pedestrians. Helsinki, on the other hand, can proudly point to a remarkable record: at the end of July 2023, the city had not had a single traffic fatality for a year.
Security measures in Helsinki
Helsinki has implemented a variety of measures to significantly improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The key points include:
- Einführung von Tempo-30-Zonen in den Innenstädten und Wohngebieten.
- Umfangreiche Investitionen in die Infrastruktur, einschließlich Radwege und Fußgängerüberwege.
- Ausbau von Verkehrserziehung und verstärkten Verkehrskontrollen.
- Verbesserung der öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel.
The city has also expanded traffic and speed controls to ensure compliance with speed limits. A prime example of the implementation of such safety strategies is Vision Zero, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero.
Recommendations for Berlin
Experts also recommend targeted identification of accident hotspots in Berlin, especially at intersections and entrances and exits, in order to take preventative measures. Important suggestions for improving traffic safety in the German capital include:
- Schaffung von Sichtdreiecken zur Verbesserung der Sichtbarkeit für alle Verkehrsteilnehmer.
- Verhinderung von illegalem Parken an kritischen Stellen.
- Einführung von getrennten Ampelphasen für Fußgänger, Radfahrer und motorisierte Fahrzeuge.
- Aufstellung fester Blitzer an Unfallschwerpunkten, etwa vor Schulen oder Seniorenheimen.
- Einsatz mobiler Blitzer, um die Verkehrssicherheit an unerwarteten Stellen zu erhöhen.
A particularly pressing concern for traffic experts is the need to create more crossings, particularly median islands, that allow pedestrians to cross the street more safely. In particular, the number of pedestrian traffic lights in Berlin urgently needs to be increased.
Overall, the experiences from Helsinki clearly show how positive development can be achieved through systematic measures in the area of traffic safety. Berlin should heed these lessons in order to sustainably improve the traffic situation in the capital and protect the lives of many people.