African automobile clubs learned more about road safety concepts and advocacy in a special training event on road safety principles, implementation, and advocacy in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, supported by the FIA Foundation.

The three-day event, hosted by the Automobile Association of Tanzania and organised by the FIA, FIA Foundation and FIA Region I, provided members of the African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs (ACTA) with more knowledge and tools to support their efforts in addressing and advocating for road safety, particularly around schools. It brought together 23 representatives from nine African auto clubs and experts from FIA Foundation partners Amend, iRAP, the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, and Delft Road Safety Courses, which delivered the training.

The event's first two days focused on deepening understanding of safe system principles, road safety concepts, and advocacy through Delft Road Safety Course sessions tailored to the region. To demonstrate theory in practice, iRAP shared successful road safety implementation examples in Botswana and Tanzania. Participants also learned how to use the Global Alliance of Road Safety NGOs Advocacy Toolkit, which is designed to help organisations build their case and approach policymakers to effect change.

The final day focused on safe school journeys, designed by the FIA Foundation and led by its partners, iRAP and Amend. Training demonstrated to participants how to assess and improve school zone infrastructure using iRAP's Star Rating for Schools and Amend's SARSAI systems, as well as how these methodologies can be used together. At Wailes Primary School, a SARSAI school project, participants saw the improvements in the new school zone infrastructure in use. They met with students and school leadership to learn about the impact of the changes and the particular design challenges the school faces to support and protect the journeys of its 80 students with disabilities.

FIA Region I and African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs Sub Region President Simon Modisaemang said: "I would like to thank the FIA for listening to the concerns of ACTA members and for giving the group an opportunity to come together and address road safety concerns. This has been an engaging and informative experience, and I can already see a clear path to safer roads."

The participating clubs are now encouraged to use learnings to implement projects in their own countries and strengthen their applications for support through the FIA Road Safety Grants Programme. The FIA Foundation has also announced it will support a further two ACTA clubs to undertake school safety projects in their countries through funding and tailored support from a regional road safety consultant.

Rafaela Machado, FIA Foundation Programmes Manager, said: "Every child should be able to make safe and healthy journeys to school, and it is so important for national automobile clubs to be part of the progress to make streets safe for all. The FIA Foundation is happy to support club members in building their road safety knowledge to deliver implementation and advocacy across Africa."