The International Road Federation (IRF) was honoured to take part in the 10th Global Interactive Forum on Traffic and Safety (GIFTS) 2024, held on 7 December 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Organised by the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS), the event revolved around the theme “Creating a Traffic Culture for a Safer Society” and brought together global experts to discuss building safer, more sustainable traffic systems. 
 
IRF’s Director General, Susanna Zammataro, contributed to the panel discussion “International Perspectives on Traffic Safety Culture”, where she explored the role of enforcement, education, and cultural attitudes in shaping road safety. Drawing from experiences in Italy, she highlighted how inconsistent law enforcement and lenient attitudes towards minor traffic violations can undermine safety efforts. In some regions, the perception of traffic rules as “flexible” allows behaviours such as speeding, running yellow lights, or failing to use indicators to persist. 

Mrs. Zammataro also emphasised the need for more impactful and sustained road safety education, particularly for young and new drivers. While traffic safety is part of school curricula, she noted that stronger awareness campaigns are necessary to address risky behaviours such as speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone use, and the lack of seatbelt compliance. These cultural shifts, she argued, are critical to achieving meaningful improvements in global traffic safety. 

The Forum underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing these challenges, a priority that aligns closely with the IRF’s mission. Building on its commitment to fostering dialogue, promoting education, and advocating for enforcement and cultural change, the IRF continues to lead efforts to create safer roads and more resilient communities worldwide.