Tunisian NGO les Ambassadeurs de la Sécurité Routière (ASR) has launched a new initiative to implement and enforce 30km/h speed limits around schools, supported by the FIA Foundation.  

The 'Safer Road for Children and Young People in Tunisia' project, supported through the Child Health Initiative Advocacy Hub,  aims to accelerate the implementation and enforcement of lower speeds in school zones. The project builds on ASR's successful advocacy for 30 km/h school zone speed limits, which became law in June 2023. Despite this significant win, there is still an urgent need for sustained efforts to ensure its implementation. More than 80 children under the age of 14, half of whom were pedestrians, lost their lives on Tunisian roads in 2023.  

Recognising the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, the Governorate of Tunis has reactivated a steering committee under ASR's coordination. This high-level body includes representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Equipment, and Ministry of Education. The legislation and subsequent political collaboration mark a significant step forward in the country's commitment to protecting its youngest road users. 

The project will also see the scaling up of road infrastructure improvements around seven schools (following the successful implementation at three schools through the Botnar Challenge which also supported the original advocacy) using iRAP's Star Rating for Schools methodology. 

"This initiative is about more than reducing speed; it's about fostering a culture of road safety that prioritises the lives of our children," said Afef Ben Ghenia, ASR Founder and President. "With support from the FIA Foundation and government collaboration, we aim to transform school zones into safe spaces where children can walk, cycle and play." 

With high-level collaboration coordinated by ASR, the initiative aims to pressure local authorities to adopt practical policies, strengthen law enforcement, and build a robust road safety system. The programme aspires to improve Tunisian road safety and also set a regional example for school zone safety by harmonising infrastructure, education, and enforcement.