Road traffic injuries pose a serious threat not only to human lives but also to the economy, costing up to 4.5% of Azerbaijan’s GDP (iRAP Safety Insights Explorer, 2024). Recognizing the urgent need to improve road safety, particularly for vulnerable road users, the National Automobile Club of Azerbaijan (AMAK) is advocating for 30 km/h speed limits in school zones and addressing hazardous traffic areas to reduce road crashes and lower fatality rates.
A key example of this initiative can be seen at the school zone area around School Nr. 4 in Sumgayit City. This high-traffic area is used by cars dropping off and picking up students and by trucks transporting goods to nearby shops. In addition, with three public schools located nearby, many pedestrians, especially children, interact with the traffic. However, the area lacks fundamental safety features, such as pedestrian crossings, segregated footpaths, traffic-calming measures, and traffic lights. Several safety analyses, including Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) assessments, were conducted for this area. The school entrance received a 2.7-star rating, indicating the high level of risk. This outcome underscores the urgent need to improve road conditions around the school and educate both pedestrians and drivers on safe road usage.
As part of the project “Improving school zones in Sumgayit city with Star Rating for Schools”, AMAK in partnership with the FIA Foundation and the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST), has implemented targeted improvements. These include introducing a 20 km/h speed limit on the road in front of School Nr. 4 and installing speed bumps on both sides of the school entrance to enforce this limit. AMAK has also installed pedestrian crossing signs, school zone signs, lane markings, and traffic bollards to manage vehicle and pedestrian flows around the school. These upgrades have increased the safety of the school entrance to 4.6-star and are anticipated to positively impact over 2,000 students of School Nr. 4.
Road upgrades were implemented at School Nr. 4 (Images credit: AMAK)
In addition to physical infrastructure upgrades, AMAK has expanded its road safety outreach to children across Baku and Sumgayit. Partnering with the Baku City State Traffic Police Department, Children-Youth Development Center No. 1, and the AMAK Sumgait Youth House, AMAK has organized a series of road safety training events designed to instil safe road behaviours in young students. During these sessions, speakers emphasized the ongoing work to reduce road injuries among children and the importance of fostering a sense of responsibility for traffic safety in youth. Volunteers led awareness campaigns focused on proper use of a new traffic light crossing, built by AMAK and its partners, and distributed road safety leaflets. Parents were also engaged in discussions on the significance of safe road practices.
Road safety training sessions for students across Baku and Sumgayit Cities (Images credit: AMAK)
These initiatives reflect a broader commitment from AMAK, EASST, and local authorities to create a safer and more sustainable traffic environment for future generations through infrastructure improvements and educational campaigns. By addressing immediate risks in high-traffic school zones and advocating for lower speed limits, AMAK and partners are setting a valuable example for other communities in the pursuit of safer roads for all.
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