Road safety performance assessment: Call for nomination and selection of award winners

Kofi Annan Road Safety Award 2023: Call for nominations - CALL CLOSED

Submission Guidelines & Process

The following information provides guidance on how to nominate, selection process, categories, and judging criteria for the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award 2023 to ensure the successful organization of the award activities and the impartiality of the award itself.

I- Award Format

The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award will be in the form of certificates of recognition delivered to governments, the private sector or civil society organizations that have made outstanding contributions to road safety in Africa. The second edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award will be given to governments that are taking serious measures to achieve the objective of the Second UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, to halve road deaths by 2030. Private sector and civil society organizations that have contributed significantly to improvements in road safety will also be recognized.

1. 1. Awards for Governments

As stipulated by the second global Action plan for road safety, governments bear the main responsibility to ensure citizens' safety. Given the significant negative impact of road crashes and large positive payoffs of greater safety, road safety must be treated as a political priority and acknowledged as a valuable public good.

This year, the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award will consider the following categories aligned with the regional and global plans for road safety:

• Innovation, particularly in digitalization
• Road safety management
• Data management
• Safer vehicles
• Public transportation/Modal shift

Details on the criteria for each category are available within the nomination form. Each assessment criterion will carry an equal weight in the overall evaluation (for each category).

1. 2. Awards for Public Voting (NGOs, Private sector, academia)

In addition to countries, awards could be given to private sector or civil society organizations (consultancies, research institutions, among others, that have made outstanding contributions to road safety in Africa, with a focus on African organizations).

For this year, in this category, the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award will focus on good practices in:

• Use of Communication in Road Safety Advocacy

II- Nomination Process

• Important: Before you submit your nomination, please read all the information on this page concerning the process and judging.
• The nomination form must be filled out online via the official nomination form.
• Nominations must be submitted by 11:59pm EAT on 30 July 2023.
• Only one category can be selected per application. Multiple nominations are allowed, as long as each application is done within a separate application form.
• Self-nominations are allowed.
• Nominations must be clear, concise, and presented against all the criteria.
• Please note: The ECA will not share your email details or contact information. All data shared via the nomination form will be confidential.

III- Timeline

• Call for nominations: 26 June 2023
• Closure of the call: 30 July 2023
• Assessment/selection of nominees: August 2023
• Notification to nominees: August 2023
• Celebration of the Award in Marrakesh (Morocco): 25th – 26th September 2023

Judging sub-criteria

I- Innovation

In Africa's Strategic Direction for Road Safety from 2021 to 2030, Innovation is a critical element. It involves revitalizing and modernizing road safety solutions through the application of new processes, techniques, and successful ideas. This innovative approach aims to create new models, perspectives, methodologies, and more. It is encouraging to see several African countries actively embracing these new technologies to enhance road safety. Their efforts to harness the potential of AI and other innovative tools are paving the way for significant advancements and positive outcomes in reducing road accidents and saving lives.

Below are considered criteria for Innovation:

1. Safety Impact: What is the impact of the initiative on road safety? Will it contribute to reducing crashes, injuries, or fatalities? What is the magnitude of the problem it aims to solve and the potential benefits it offers?
2. Creativity: How does it introduce new ideas, technologies, or approaches to road safety? How does the project go beyond conventional solutions and bring fresh perspectives to the field?
3. Effectiveness: What is the effectiveness of the project in achieving its intended goals. Has it been tested or implemented in a real-world setting? Are there any empirical results or evidence of success? What is the project's track record, pilot studies, or simulations that demonstrate its effectiveness? Does it have a clear monitoring and evaluation component?
4. Sustainability: What is the project's long-term sustainability? Does it have a viable business model or funding strategy? What is the project's economic feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and the availability of resources needed for its implementation and maintenance.

II- Road Safety management

During the First UN Global Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), road safety management, both globally and particularly in Africa, suffered from institutional weaknesses. This led to a failure in significantly reducing road traffic accidents. The lack of fundamental elements, such as road safety strategies, well-resourced lead agencies, sustainable funding, adapted legislation, inspection systems, data systems, and adequate legislation, contributed to the scattered and unsustainable nature of road safety actions.

To address these shortcomings, the African Road Safety Action Plan 2021-2030 emphasizes the need to strengthen institutional road safety management. Two vital measures recommended are the establishment of a lead government agency responsible for guiding national road safety actions and the enhancement of road safety legislation. Some countries have implemented these measures to ensure effective road safety management and the development of well-planned strategies and associated plans for road safety improvement.

Criteria for Governments who demonstrate strong road safety management are as below:

1. Comprehensive Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan: Assess the presence and quality of a comprehensive road safety strategy and action plan at the country level. Look for evidence of a strategic approach that outlines specific goals, targets, and timeframes, along with clear action steps and responsibilities for implementation.
2. Institutional Arrangements and Lead Agency: Evaluate the existence of the lead agency responsible for road safety. Does the lead agency have the necessary authority and resources to coordinate and implement road safety initiatives effectively?
3. Funding: Evaluate the level of investment and funding dedicated to road safety. Assess whether there is sustainable and sufficient funding allocated to support road safety initiatives.
4. Legislation and Enforcement: Is there an updated Road safety Act that respects international best practices? Is the road safety legislation well informed? Provide evidence of comprehensive traffic laws that address key risk factors such as speeding, drunk driving, seat belt use (front and rear), helmet use, and distracted driving. Consider the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms in ensuring compliance with these laws. Are they contracting party to the UN Legal Instruments, are they signatory to the African road safety charter?

III- Data management

Road safety data management in Africa is challenging, with limited availability, accuracy, and reliability. However, African countries are actively working with partners to improve their data systems. Reliable data is crucial as it makes road safety issues visible, helps understand crash causes, and enables cost-effective interventions based on evidence. Efforts are underway to establish comprehensive data collection systems, enhance accuracy and reliability, and facilitate data sharing among relevant agencies. Through these initiatives, African countries are striving to strengthen their capacity for data management and analysis to drive evidence-driven road safety strategies and interventions.

Criteria for data management are as below:

1. Existence of a Road Safety database: Does the country have a database with needed software as well as hardware? How often is the system updated? Is the collection accurate and supported by guidelines on definitions and processes?
2. Integration of data sources: Is the database integrated with all the possible sources like health system, police, insurance, vehicle data base etc.
3. Resources and capacity: Is the system well-funded? Does the system have enough well-trained staff? What type of training has staff received?
4. Publication and data use: Are data published through a website or printed document? Are they reported periodically to the cabinet? How is the data used to determine policies, interventions, and progress?

IV- Safer Vehicles

The First and Second UN Decade of Action for Road Safety emphasizes the significance of safe vehicles in ensuring the safety of road users. While global progress has been made in improving vehicle safety, it is important to acknowledge the specific challenges faced by the African continent. There are significant disparities in the safety standards of new and used cars across regions and countries. Efforts to address the quality and upkeep of new cars must go hand in hand with regulating and monitoring the used car situation. Several countries have taken solid steps in addressing these underlying issues.

Criteria for safer vehicles are as below:

1. Vehicle Safety Standards: Is there existence of vehicle standards that are aligned with international best practices, such as those set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) or the Global Technical Regulations (GTRs), among others, for vehicle safety (1958, 1997, 1998 UN Vehicle regulations). Are the standards effectively implemented and enforced? (Occupant protection, active safety features, braking systems, emission standards, etc.).
2. Vehicle Inspection and Certification: Is there existence and effectiveness of vehicle inspection and certification mechanisms? Is annual inspection compulsory for vehicles in the country? Are there accredited testing facilities, adherence to standardized testing protocols, and regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards?
3. Used-car regulation and imported vehicles: Assess the existence of standards or laws/regulation that limit the age of used imported vehicles. What are the measures to discourage the importation and sale of substandard and unsafe vehicles (new and used), including age restrictions, emission standards, and compliance with safety requirements?

V- Public Transportation/Modal Shift

The Global Action Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety recognizes the significant role of multimodal transport in improving road safety. Governments are urged to facilitate a shift towards walking, cycling, and public transport, as it is essential for achieving greener, cleaner, and safer transport objectives. Road safety acts as both a prerequisite for this shift and an outcome of it.

To ensure safe multimodal transport, road networks must be designed with a focus on the most vulnerable users, including children, adolescents, persons with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users. By prioritizing the safety needs of these individuals, comprehensive and inclusive road networks can be established, fostering a safer environment for all. Several countries and cities in Africa have made this transition a priority, especially after Covid-19.

Below are considered criteria:

1. Infrastructure Development: Assess the development of infrastructure to support eco-friendly transport. Consider the level of establishment and improvement of cycling lanes, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and the expansion and enhancement of public transportation networks.
2. Policy and Regulations: Describe the existence and implementation of supportive policies and regulations that promote eco-friendly transport and public transport. Are there incentives for the purchase of electric or low-emission vehicles, subsidies for public transportation, and measures to discourage the use of high-polluting vehicles.
3. Accessibility and Affordability: What is the level of accessibility and affordability of eco-friendly and public transport options, in cities and connections to rural areas. Assess whether initiatives have focused on ensuring that sustainable modes of transportation are accessible to all segments of society, including low-income communities.

VI- Communication initiatives (Only for Private sector; NGOs; Accademia)

The human factor is widely acknowledged as a major contributor to road crashes. Therefore, it is essential to implement measures that effectively influence the behavior of road users, making it a crucial objective of road safety initiatives. Weak involvement of civil society and the private sector has been identified as a major drawback in the last Decade of Action for Road Safety. To address this, effective campaigns should involve governmental, municipal, and non-governmental institutions, as well as mass media, and focus on specific target groups. The impact of these campaigns is measurable and depends on the quality of communication through various channels such as advertising spots, SMS messages, and posters. By enhancing collaboration and utilizing effective strategies, communication can contribute to raising awareness and promoting safer practices among road users.

Below are the considered criteria:

1. Objectives of Campaign and Tools produced

Explain the tools and tactics used for the road safety communications campaign. What were the objectives of the communication campaign? What were the target audiences and the intended reach? Which behaviors or culture was the initiative trying to influence?

1. Behavioral Impact: Evaluate the campaign's effectiveness and how it influenced and promoted positive behavioral change among road users. Measure how the campaign effectively encouraged safer practices, such as seat belt usage, adherence to speed limits, or avoiding distracted driving.
2. Reach and Accessibility: Report on the campaign's reach and accessibility to a wide range of audiences. Describe utilization of communication channels, including traditional media, digital platforms, community engagement, and partnerships to ensure broad coverage and engagement across different segments of the population. How were messages tailored to various audiences?