Decade of Action in Croatia

The 105th Anniversary of the Croatian Automobile Club Hrvatski Autoklub (HAK) was celebrated on 1 June 2011 in its headquarters in Zagreb, with the support of the Croatian President Dr. Ivo Josipoviæ. At the same time, the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety was launched together with HAKS, the Croatian Car & Karting Federation. More than 100 representatives of non-profit organisations, civil society, the road transport sector, as well as representatives of humanitarian, vocational and professional associations, and institutions (particularly the medical, academic and business sectors) participated in the event.

A film about the creation, growth and development of HAK was shown during the ceremony. On 1 June 1906 in Zagreb's Hotel Royal, 14 drivers created a small group of enthusiasts and held the inaugural Assembly of the First Croatian Automobile Club. Guided by the vision of a more free and mobile world and feeling the unknown and upcoming challenges of modern times, they founded an association that would develop and advocate mobility.

HAK President Ivo Bikiæ, pointed out in his speech that HAK, as a national association, protects the interests and safety of drivers and all road users. At the same time, it is a very important partner of the State in carrying out so called public authorisations: performing driving examinations and supervision of driving schools’ activities, supervision of stations for the technical check-up of vehicles, road information and road assistance, issuing of international documents, and the collecting and selling of cars under customs competence. "HAK is performing all these activities according to the highest standards, professionally and responsibly and will continue with its future development", concluded Mr Bikiæ.

The basic interest of all road users is safe and sustainable mobility. The UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is dedicated to this cause.



The President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Josipoviæ, the President of HAK, Mr Bikiæ, and the President of HAKS, Mr Kostrenèiæ, signed a Declaration in support of the UN Decade of Action at this occasion with the aim of building stronger cooperation between public, private and civil society in Croatia, and to advocate the principles of safe and responsible driving. President Josipoviæ advocated strongly for the Decade goals (set out also in the Declaration), which he believes to be an excellent initiative to encourage safer behaviour on roads. The Declaration was also signed by participants at the ceremony.

President Josipoviæ stressed the contribution of HAK in the development of motoring and road traffic, and thus society as a whole, as well as its important role in assisting foreign tourists in Croatia. “Therefore it is not surprising that HAK has a considerable reputation, and today brings together more than 170,000 members”, said President Josipoviæ. He wished HAK every success in future endeavours to make roads safer for everyone.

President Bikiæ confirmed his personal commitment and the firm commitment of HAK to this important cause.

For HAK members and the broader public, HAK has created a special web page dedicated to road safety and the Decade of Action: http://desetljece.hak.hr/, while detailed information on the Decade of Action is available on the intranet site aimed at the more than the 100 local clubs associated in HAK.