FIA Foundation programme achieves major reduction in school zone crashes says new paper

A new academic paper published in Frontiers Journal showcases impact and scale of the AIP Foundation's Slow Zones, Safe Zones  programme, supported by the FIA Foundation.

'A Scalable Model for Child Road Safety in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Evidence and Lessons from the 'Slow Zones, Safe Zones' Intervention in Vietnam' showed that in Pleiku City, Vietnam, the Slow Zones, Safe Zones  program reduced crashes by 33% and transformed school zones from some of the most dangerous areas into significantly safer spaces for children.

The publication was co-authored by Atsani Ariobowo, FIA Foundation Child and Youth Director, alongside Cuong Pham, from Hanoi University of Public Health, and Le Nguyen, Hong Bui, Mirjam Sidik, and Phong Le from the AIP Foundation. 

The AIP Foundation-led program addressed high speeds around schools, which is a significant contributor to the country's road death and injury rate, one of the highest in the region. 

Key results from the publication include: 

• iRAP Star Ratings for school zones dramatically improved from as low as 1-star to 4- and 5-star ratings post-intervention;
• Mean vehicle speeds were reduced by up to 29%;
• The proportion of student crashes occurring within school zones plummeted from over 35% to less than 3%; and
• City authorities adopted a legal 'Safe School Zone' definition.

The initial project was part of the Botnar Child Road Safety Challenge, supported by Fondation Botnar, the Global Road Safety Partnership, and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, and subsequent phases were supported by the FIA Foundation and its Child Health Initiative.

"This important peer-review paper highlights the impact of the Slow Zones, Safe Zones  program, providing compelling evidence that safe journeys to school are achievable at scale. The pilot-to-policy journey in Vietnam is undeniable proof that with data-driven, evidence-based interventions combined with strong partnerships and local leadership is highly effective. The model provides a clear, replicable pathway to protect children in their every journey to school around the world," shared Atsani Ariobowo, FIA Foundation Director of Children and Youth.

Beyond immediate impact, the program has driven lasting change. Local authorities have formally adopted safe school zone standards, and AIP Foundation has developed a national Safe School Zones Guide to support replication across Vietnam with support from FIA Foundation. 

This work has already helped improve safety for millions of children across Vietnam, and the model is now positioned to scale further nationally and in other countries with support from the United Nations Road Safety Fund and the FIA Foundation. The results showcase what effective, evidence-based investment looks like: measurable outcomes, system-level change, and a clear pathway to scale nationwide in Vietnam. The Slow Zones, Safe Zones  program received the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in 2020.

"The Slow Zones, Safe Zones  program shows what's possible when government, communities, and partners come together with a shared vision: to save lives and protect children. As an international NGO in Vietnam, we are proud to support and drive forward practical, evidence-based solutions like this safe school zones program, because every step toward safer roads is a step toward a stronger, more equitable future for all," added Mirjam Sidik, CEO of AIP Foundation.