From December 2025 to February 2026, Moldova completed the MOLDIPS training programme – an initiative to equip national institutions with methodologies for conducting road safety research. Delivered by Tilkon Research & Consulting in partnership with the Eastern Partnership Road Safety Observatory, the programme brought together road safety professionals from enforcement agencies, infrastructure planning, education and transport regulation departments. The goal was to build capacity at two levels: developing professionals to conduct behaviour risk factor studies, and equipping them to train others.
Led by international expert Wouter Van den Berghe and national coordinator Virginia Mandalac, the twelve-week programme combined online learning with intensive in-person workshops. Participants progressed from learning the fundamentals of road safety behaviour and data collection methods to conducting hands-on roadside observations. They practiced observing distracted driving, helmet use, seatbelt compliance and child restraint systems in real traffic conditions. The training also explored a key priority: how behavioural data can be used to inform enforcement strategies and public awareness campaigns.
Participants gave the programme exceptionally high marks, with an average satisfaction score of 9.9 out of 10. They particularly praised the hands-on observation exercises, saying that real-world application helped them understand the importance of reliable data collection. Many noted that the combination of classroom learning and fieldwork helped translate theory into practical skills. Importantly, participants saw clear connections to their day-to-day work. They recognised how behaviour risk factor studies can directly inform the enforcement strategies and public awareness campaigns that are essential components of road safety improvement.
Overall, the MOLDIPS training programme successfully strengthened capacity of Moldova to conduct standardised behavioural road safety studies and to apply performance indicators within a coordinated governance framework. As the country continues to implement its National Road Safety Programme, such studies will be essential for understanding which behaviours pose the greatest risk and how to address them. By building this capacity, the programme supports the Observatory's mission to help countries quantify, address and monitor road user behaviour risk, ultimately working toward safer roads across the Eastern Partnership region.
