What is the primary goal of a road safety audit?

The primary goal of a road safety audit is to assess potential safety issues on a roadway. This proactive process involves a safety evaluation conducted at various stages of a road project, including planning, design, and construction. By identifying hazards and safety concerns before roadways are built or modified, the audit aims to enhance safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

This evaluation helps stakeholders understand how design elements and roadway features can contribute to safety risks. By focusing on potential issues, the audit provides recommendations for improvements that can be made to minimize the risks of accidents, thereby significantly contributing to the overall goal of improving road safety. Collecting data on traffic volumes, measuring vehicle speeds, or investigating past crashes might be parts of road safety analysis but do not encompass the broader and proactive scope of what a road safety audit aims to achieve.