Safe Systems Approach
The Safe System approach places an emphasis on roadway design to anticipate people making mistakes and reducing the impact of crashes.
A Safe System approach incorporates the following principles:
- Deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable – Crashes will happen, but crashes should not result in death and serious injuries.
- Humans make mistakes – People will inevitably make mistakes and decisions that may lead to crashes, but roads can be designed to minimize the impact of mistakes.
- Humans are vulnerable – We have our limits when traveling outside of vehicles. When we reduce speeds, we help reduce the severity of injuries and risk of death when there’s a crash. Designing a system that protects these vulnerabilities, such as additional time for drivers to stop and improving visibility, are critical.
- Responsibility is shared – Safety must address all road users – people who walk, bike, ride transit, or travel by other modes. Everyone plays a role in preventing deaths and serious injuries on roads.
- Safety is proactive – Safety concerns should be identified and addressed before crashes happen.
- Redundancy is crucial – Reducing severe injury and deadly crashes requires all parts of the transportation system to be improved. If one part does not work, the other parts still offer forms of protection.
Resources
- U.S. DOT National Roadway Safety Strategy
- Federal Highway Administration Safe System Approach for a Safer Future
- Federal Highway Administration: Integrating the Safe System Approach with the Highway Safety Improvement Program
- Governors Highway Safety Association: Putting the Pieces Together: Addressing the Role of Behavioral Safety in the Safe System Approach
- Safe System Approach Social Media Toolkit
- Safe System Approach Social Media Toolkit (ESPAÑOL)