Road safety and motor sport safety

The FIA and its long history in road safety

With the development of the automobile came the creation of motoring clubs. The oldest of these clubs – some of which go back more than 100 years – were largely formed in the interests of improving the safety of their members’ automotive passions. Due to the proliferation of the automobile over the course of the 20^th century, clubs diversified their interests to include other motoring services, yet it is evident that from beginning, safety has and continues to be one of the central concerns of the FIA.

Road safety and motor sport safety

Road safety

FIA Mobility Clubs are leading advocates of road safety improvement in their respective countries and are a powerful constituency representing some 80 million motorists. In addition to implementing their own activities, they have an important role to play towards national and local government, as well as other stakeholders.

Motor sport safety

The FIA considers the safety of everyone involved in motor sport – from those at the grass roots level to the pinnacle of Formula 1, as well as drivers to spectators – as its most important priority. This has led the FIA to create safe standards for everything from the engineering of circuits, to the cars and the drivers’ equipment. Speed limits are even imposed where necessary, effectively suspending competition for safety purposes. Further to this, the FIA sets standards for race direction, emergency medical care as well as event management. Additionally, the FIA conducts research and development into all aspects of motor sport safety. This accumulated expertise is shared with the national sporting authorities, and the FIA works with its worldwide network of National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) to apply the most appropriate and cost effective solutions to suit each region’s particular safety issues. While there will always be an element of risk on any road, the FIA continues towards its goal of zero fatalities and injuries in motor sport.