KFV Through the Years

1950s
The KFV (Austrian Road Safety Board) is founded on March 12, 1959 in Vienna as a politically independent organisation.

1960s
KFV performs pioneering work during the 60s. The individual departments of traffic engineering, traffic psychology, road safety education and motor vehicle technology mark out their fields of activity. The experts of KFV quickly become welcome advisors to legislators and decision-makers.

1970s
Beginning in the 70s, KFV is increasingly trusted with preparing the basis for legislators to make decisions on transportation safety measures. The installation of regional offices in the Austrian provinces starts in 1971.

1980s
The Austrian Transportation Safety Council, a forum that brings decision-makers in the transportation field together at one table for the first time, is established in the 80s.
 
In 1986, KFV approaches the federal government for the first time with a 10-point road safety programme. However, this would not become a reality until the year 2002.

In 1987, the Institute for Home and Leisure Time Safety is founded for the study and prevention of accidents at home and during leisure activities and sports.

1990s
Work at the international level is intensified during the 90s through participation in numerous EU-wide research and implementation projects.

On January 1st, 1999, the Institute for Technical Safety and Security is integrated into the “safety family”, marking the restructuring of KFV into a comprehensive “safety institute”. During the scope of this restructuring, the name of the organisation is changed to the “Austrian Board for Safety and Prevention”. With this institution for comprehensive work in the field of safety, Austria now possesses a unique model for addressing safety issues.

2000s
In the year 2002, the Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology embarks on a comprehensive Road Safety Programme, setting the ambitious goal of halving the number of deaths in traffic accidents by the year 2010 (corresponds to a reduction below 500 deaths per year).

Effective January 1st, 2006, the “safety family” shall carry the new umbrella name of “Austrian Road Safety Board” instead of the “Austrian Board for Safety and Prevention” with the three individual brands ("Austrian Road Safety Board", "Institute for Home and Leisure Time Safety" and "Institute for Technical Safety and Security").