IRF Presents 2017 Road Safety Award

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport recognised for sustained progress in curbing road traffic injuries

The 713 International Road Federation has given its prestigious annual road safety accolade — known as the ‘Find A Way Award’ — to the Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Find a Way Award was instituted as part of the 3262 United Nations 3439 Decade of Action for Road Safety by 2462 IRF chairman Eng Abdullah Al-Mogbel in recognition of the value of political leadership in driving road traffic injury reduction strategies. Every year, the Award distinguishes outstanding personal commitment to safer roads by a local or national government on the anniversary of the launch of the Decade of Action.

“Korea’s leadership and track record over the last 25 years in curbing traffic injuries is truly impressive, and serves as an inspiration for other governments and the global community of road safety professionals,” said IRF president & CEO C Patrick Sankey. “The Find A Way Award embodies the idea that governments everywhere have an important opportunity and responsibility to weigh in the broader policy directions and examine ways to prevent what has become a global public health crisis.”

Receiving the award for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, assistant minister Jeong-ryeol Kim said, “I am very proud to be part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and to receive this award as the leader in road safety. In Korea, the number of traffic crash fatalities has been steadily decreasing over the last years.

“In particular, the road traffic crash death rate decreased by 7.1% in 2016. It is a very significant record in that it represents highest reduction rate since 2004. I believe that our continuous efforts in the past to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries is finally deriving fruitful outcomes. In 2016, we established ‘Comprehensive Measures to Reduce Traffic Accident Fatalities’.

“It highlighted many road safety initiatives such as enforcement of traffic laws and promotion of traffic safety culture and education nationwide. I hope that Korea could serve as an excellent example to inspire other countries to achieve our mutual goals of making safer roads and saving countless lives.”