Safety on the roads – social responsibility beyond the track

By the end of 2025, Hungary's expressway network will have reached 2,000 kilometres, of which nearly 1,300 kilometres will fall under the responsibility of MKIF Zrt.. Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt. not only maintains and renovates these roads, but also expands them as part of a ten-year development programme: work began on the M1 last September, and the M7 and M3 will also be expanded in the coming years.  The three motorways will not only be wider but also more modern over a length of 299 kilometres, and new motorways will be built over a length of 279 kilometres by 2034. This is a major responsibility, but MKIF Zrt. has done more than what is stipulated in the concession agreement over the past three years.

Safety is of paramount importance

In transport, on the roads and beyond. That is why, at the end of 2023, the concession company supported the National Directorate General for Disaster Management with the so-called e-spear, which is essential for extinguishing electric cars. These devices are capable of piercing the battery's protective plate and injecting the extinguishing agent into cells that can sometimes reach temperatures of 1000 degrees. With their help, the cooling of hot battery packs can be reduced from long hours to as little as 15-20 minutes. The concession company provided 8 such kits, while Magyar Közút NZrt. provided 5 kits to support special firefighting tasks. The 13 kits were delivered to fire stations located near the busiest motorways.

At the end of 2025, the Bicske Volunteer Fire Brigade received a new fire engine thanks to joint support from the Pro Filii Foundation and MKIF Zrt.. The new pickup replaced the old, 45-year-old vehicle. What makes it special is that it is the size of a passenger car, which ensures better manoeuvrability and faster deployment on the motorway. The Bicske Volunteer Fire Brigade responds to an average of 100 calls per year on the section of the M1 motorway between Biatorbágy and Szárliget, but they also primarily assist local residents in distress. The new vehicle is not only more modern, but also safer and more efficient: while the old vehicle could only accommodate two firefighters, the new one can carry five people to the scene of an incident.

MKIF Zrt. also supported the work of the Bicske Volunteer Fire Brigade in collaboration with the Pro Filii Foundation when, in the summer of 2023, the Bicske volunteers received battery-powered spreader-cutters, which were unique in Hungary at the time.

Helping the helpers

The Peter Cerny Foundation's premature baby rescue service was supported with a blood gas analyser in 2023, and in 2024, the Company took over the quarterly operation of one of their emergency vehicles, also in cooperation with the Pro Filii Foundation. During this time, there were 758 deployments: 486 rescues, 272 escorted transports, 253 cases requiring mechanical ventilation due to severe respiratory distress, and 4 cases requiring resuscitation. During the support period, their specialised neonatal ambulances travelled 43,000 km.

MKIF Zrt. and the National Ambulance Service have always worked closely together on domestic expressways when human lives were at stake. In May 2024, the two organisations strengthened their already well-functioning relationship. Under the agreement, motorcycle paramedics can be stationed at three motorway engineering offices: Gödöllő, Martonvásár and Bicske, during the motorcycle season from May to the end of October. The Concession Company provides a medical and rest room as well as a garage for those on duty. The motorcycle paramedics will not only assist those travelling on the expressway network, but can also be called out from the centre to help people living in nearby towns, thus ensuring the safety of those living alongside the motorway. They can reach the motorway in a matter of minutes, even when traffic conditions and congestion make this difficult.

Prevention for prevention

In addition to subsidies, the Company also places great emphasis on prevention. The company regularly shares road safety videos on various topics on its Facebook page. It regularly holds engineering open days and career orientation days to show interested parties and children how diverse the road industry is and how important safe transport is.

https://magyarepitok.hu/iparagi-hirek/2024/09/egyuttmukodessel-a-biztonsagos-kozlekedesert

https://magyarepitok.hu/aktualis/2024/07/oket-is-hazavarjak-nekik-is-van-csaladjuk-interju-az-mkif-kommunikacios-igazgatojaval

In addition, as an experiment, in 2025, MKIF employees covered accident sites with „NO PHOTO” banners to prevent disaster tourism. This is a phenomenon where drivers slow down on the side of the road not affected by the accident to stare at, photograph and video the accident. This is not only morally questionable, but also creates further accident-prone situations!

The social responsibility of MKIF Zrt. conveys the message that operating transport infrastructure is a social mission. Through developments and support, we can build not only roads, but also safer transport and a better future.