Georgia strengthens safe school zones through a new National Road Safety Strategy
On 5 August 2026, the Georgian government approved the National Road Safety Strategy 2026–2030 and the Action Plan which sets out concrete measures for the implementation of its aims. The new National Strategy places significant emphasis on improving road safety in school zones, including safe speed management, assessments of infrastructure surrounding schools, the development of relevant regulations and standards, and the gradual expansion of safe school zones nationwide. This placement of safe mobility for children within a broader national road safety policy framework represents a significant step towards improving children’s road safety on a national scale.
This direction is further reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding PfRS signed with the Road Safety Department of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. The Memorandum establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in the areas of road safety, safe school zones, safe speed management, and safe urban mobility.
The cooperation encompasses research, technical assessments of infrastructure surrounding schools, the preparation of recommendations and methodological documents, capacity building for municipalities, the development of pilot projects, information, communication and advocacy activities, public awareness raising and the exchange of international experience and good practice.
From 2026 to 2030, PfRS will support the nationwide expansion of 30 km/h school zones across all municipalities, the assessment of road environments around schools, and the implementation of safe infrastructure solutions. The long-term objective is to ensure that, by 2030, every school is supported by a safe school environment incorporating a 30 km/h speed regime, safe pedestrian crossings, appropriate road signs and markings, traffic-calming measures and other necessary infrastructure improvements.
PfRS also serves as the National Focal Point in Georgia for the EASST Coalition for Safe Routes to School, a role which will enable them to link the safe school zones agenda to national policy and to infrastructure projects supported by international financial institutions.
As part of their efforts to assist with the implementation of the National Strategy, PfRS launched an awareness campaign on 15 August, the first day of the school year, featuring popular Georgian YouTuber Temur Shengelaia to highlight how 30km/h school zones create safer road environments for children and supports their safety on their journeys to and from school. The video targets driver behaviour and the important of observing speed limits around schools to reducing the risk of serious injury.
We are pleased to see that PfRS’s commendable commitment to creating safer school zones has precipitated the creation of a systematic approach to improving children’s road safety at a national level which will support access to education and save lives.