Led by the National Center for Safe Routes to School in the USA with support from the FIA Foundation, the International Vision Zero for Youth Leadership Award recognises actions aimed at achieving zero traffic deaths among children and youth. 

The Award was given to Moldova for its significant effort to improve road safety for children by reducing vehicle speed around schools.  

FIA Member the Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) played a key role in mobilising action over the years. It started in the capital of Chisinau with a petition supported by 15 civic groups asking the mayor for better road safety for youth and other vulnerable road users. This ultimately led to the implementation in 2021 of 30 km/h speed limits in parts of the city where many schools and kindergartens are located. 

The success and impact of this action supported further advocacy by the ACM at a national level, and in 2022, the Moldovan government introduced 30 km/h speed zones around school zones and roads near hospitals, parks, and historic landmarks. Further, it is anticipated that the Republic of Moldova will sign a new National Road Safety Programme into law in late 2024. This will aim to reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths through a combination of road safety measures, improved road infrastructure, and road user behaviour. 

Vice-President of the Automobile Club of Moldova and CEO of the ProtectMD Foundation Tatiana Mihailova said, “The Automobile Club of Moldova is deeply honoured to receive the Vision Zero for Youth International Leadership Award. This recognition highlights our common efforts with other interested national counterparts to advocate for safer streets through policy changes, such as implementation of mandatory 30 km/h speed limits around schools and other areas. It is demonstrated by various studies and facts that reducing the speed to 30 km/h can make the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy. Protecting children and our most vulnerable citizens is at the heart of our mission, and everyone should be committed to ensuring that our roads are safe for everyone. The safety of children and pedestrians must always be a priority.” 

FIA Foundation Director of Partnerships Rita Cuypers, FIA Mobility Grants Manager Anaïs Aite and Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST – FIA Member) Director of Communications, MEL & Inclusion Corinne Vibert spoke at the event to highlight the exceptional work carried by the Club with the support of the FIA Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grants Programme, funded by the FIA Foundation to save children’s lives on the road.  

Following the ceremony, they had the chance to see firsthand the impact of the ACM’s work by visiting one of the schools where the 30 km/h speed limit has been implemented. The visit provided an opportunity to engage with local stakeholders, praise the Club’s long-standing commitment and highlight its action as an inspiring example for creating a safer future for children on the roads.