What is the primary focus of the Safe Systems Approach in road safety?

The primary focus of the Safe Systems Approach in road safety is to enhance the survivability of crashes. This approach is built on the understanding that road traffic deaths and serious injuries are preventable and emphasizes creating a road system that accommodates human error by minimizing the impact of crashes.

Under this framework, the design of roads, vehicles, and user behavior are all considered with the goal of reducing the severity of injuries when collisions occur. This includes implementing measures such as safe roadside layouts, vehicle design improvements, and enhancing infrastructure to protect vulnerable road users.

By prioritizing survivability, the Safe Systems Approach acknowledges that while perfect safety is unattainable, we can and should work towards a system that allows people to make mistakes without resulting in fatal outcomes. Consequently, this approach drives innovation and policy-making towards creating a transport system where the consequences of errors are mitigated.