HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam – March 23, 2026

Our Slow Zones, Safe Zones program proved that child road deaths and injuries can be reduced at scale, even in complex, high-risk environments. The recent publication titled ‘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, 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.

A young Vietnamese schoolgirl in uniform waves while standing on a pedestrian crosswalk, with a sign about road safety behind her

The publication was co-authored by Cuong Pham (Hanoi University of Public Health), Le Nguyen (AIP Foundation), Hong Bui (AIP Foundation), Mirjam Sidik (AIP Foundation), Phong Le (AIP Foundation), and Atsani Ariobowo (FIA 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 indicated that:

• 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 28.9%.
• The proportion of student crashes occurring within school zones plummeted from 35.6% at baseline to 2.9% at the project’s end;
• Parental knowledge of correct speed limits increased substantially from 15.6% to 93.2% (p<0.001); and
• A legal decision by city authorities to formally adopt a “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 contributed to improving safety for millions of children across Vietnam, and currently, the model is 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,” shares Mirjam Sidik, CEO of AIP Foundation.