GIA LAI PROVINCE, Vietnam — October 14, 2020

In Vietnam, children continue to be the most vulnerable road users especially on their way to and from school. Many schools are located on busy highways most frequented by buses and heavy trucks driving well over the global recommended speed limit for school zones.  Without proper infrastructure in place like school signs or road markings, children continue to be at risk for injuries and fatalities. By participating in Gia Lai Traffic Safety Committee’s “community listening session,” organized by AIP Foundation under Phase II of the Slow Zones, Safe Zones program, school administrators from 26 primary schools in Gia Lai Province led road modification discussions with the government.

Before the listening session, school administrators participated in a school zone orientation where each principal was provided a school zone assessment tool.  AIP Foundation supported principals and administrators to assess and identify potential dangers surrounding their school. A group discussion was then organized to collect feedback and feasibility on school zone improvements.

More than 40 participants, including members of the Technical and Strategic Steering Committee, the engineering team, and principals from 26 primary schools, gathered to discuss the proposed changes.  The engineering team presented technical drawings for 26 schools focused on speed-calming modifications such as rumble strips, road markings, school signs, and most importantly, speed limit signs. School administrators then proposed modifications based on the needs assessment they had conducted of their schools. As a result, principals were able to highlight key concerns on road conditions impacting their students to the government and stakeholders.

Following the community listening session, the government will review recommendations for road modifications for final evaluation and decision before approving the modification plan. These changes come after a landmark decision to allocate funds from the city’s budget to renovate infrastructure around school zones.