The Automobile Club of Moldova (ACM) has implemented road safety upgrades around three schools using iRAP’s Star Ratings for Schools (SR4S) methodology supported by the FIA Foundation through the FIA Road Safety Grant Programme. 

Assessments and upgrades were carried out at three schools in the municipal authorities of Balti, Singerei, and Ungheni in partnership with the local public authorities and in collaboration with UNICEF Moldova and the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST). Upgrades included: lowering speeds to 30km/h; narrowing carriageways; re-painting pedestrian crossings; installing bollards to prevent parking around the crossing; installing reflective markings and road signs; and adding dropped kerbs for accessibility. 

The changes have made journeys to school safer for more than 3,000 schoolchildren along with their families and caregivers, including those with disabilities or limited mobility. 

The project is part of a broader advocacy initiative to ensure all school zones in Moldova are safe and sustainable through street design and infrastructure that prioritises vulnerable road users. ACM is building knowledge and capacity amongst the local public authorities to support the implementation of the recently introduced national 30km/h school zone policy. 

Tatiana Mihailova, ACM Vice-President/CEO, said: “Such research and results are essential for the Automobile Club of Moldova, as it helps us achieve our goals to reduce the alarming rate of deaths and injuries among children and other vulnerable road users. The evidence base supports our government advocacy work, which has resulted in changes to the National Road Regulations, lowering all school zones speed limits to 30km/h. Also, the ACM is activating to build knowledge and capacity amongst the local public authorities to support the implementation of the 30km/h limit policy.” 

Aggie Krasnolucka, Programme Director, said: “It is so important for countries not just to commit to safe, low-speed streets, but to act on them as well. The FIA Foundation is pleased to support ACM as it demonstrates the practical and impactful changes transforming journeys to school in Moldova.”