Safe System Approach to Road Safety

The Government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 has been developed in line with the Safe System approach. The actions included in this Phase 2 Action Plan are defined across seven priority intervention areas, which have been developed and adapted in accordance with the specific road safety needs of Ireland.

Safe and healthy modes of travel acknowledges that there is a substantial difference in fatal and serious injury risks across different modes of travel. It involves the promotion of the safer modes (e.g., public transport, such as bus and rail travel), and the promotion and provision of safe road environments for otherwise healthy, active modes. This includes walking and cycling, where the risks in the event of a collision are more serious than for protected in-vehicle road users.

Safe and

Healthy Modes of

Travel

Safe roads and roadsides involves the planning, design and operation of roads and roadsides and provides the framework for safe road and vehicle use. The aim of this priority intervention area is to support correct road use through providing ‘self-explaining’ roads (i.e. roads that are easy to understand and use) and forgiving roadsides (i.e. roadsides that minimise the impact of collisions) so that if a collision occurs it does not lead to death or serious injury.

Safe Roads and

Roadsides

The safe vehicles element of the Safe Systems approach addresses the safety of road users both inside and outside the vehicle through legislative standards, consumer information, public procurement and industry initiatives. It includes measures to help avoid a collision and to mitigate the severity of a collision before it occurs. It also involves measures to reduce injury in the event of a collision and to reduce the consequences of injury. Of particular relevance here is the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR) which introduces safety requirements for new vehicles coming into effect from 2022.

Safe Vehicles

Safe speeds is a central element of the Safe System approach. It involves consideration of road and vehicle planning and design, the setting of injury-minimising speed limits, as well as public education and awareness, and the enforcement of these limits. Successful Safe System approaches ensure that the set speed limits on parts of the network are not higher than the built-in protection provided by roads, roadsides and vehicles. Although collisions may still occur, they should not lead to death or serious injury.

Safe Speeds

Safe road use incorporates a wide range of safety behaviours such as compliance with the posted speed limit, driving without impairment (due to alcohol, drugs, fatigue or distraction), helmet wearing, seat belt wearing and correct use of child restraints. It involves setting road user standards (e.g., driver training and licensing requirements), developing traffic legislation and implementing targeted enforcement. It also includes public education and awareness campaigns and harnessing the benefits of safety technologies so that we share our roads safely, mitigating the risk of fatalities and serious injuries.

Safe Road

Use

Safe work-related road use involves the planned, systematic safety management of work journeys on the roads, aiming to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries. It includes journeys made using publicly or privately owned or leased motor vehicles (including motorcycles), as well as cycling or walking. It aims to ensure those driving for work have the training and resources to do so safely. It also involves the improvement of commercial vehicle enforcement measures and ensuring that employer road safety policies and vehicle safety standards are a key focus, including in procurement competitions.

Safe Work-

related Road Use

Figure from page 8

Post-crash response concerns the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of survivors of road traffic collisions and aims to reduce the severity and consequences of injuries should a collision occur. This involves the use of efficient emergency notification systems, the safe and timely transportation of qualified medical personnel and the correct diagnosis and stabilisation of the patient at the scene. It also includes the safe transport of the patient to the most appropriate facility for treatment, quality emergency room and trauma care, access to specialised rehabilitation services and supports for casualties’ families. Post crash response activities are supported by enhancing the collection, sharing, and analysis of collision data.

Post-crash

Response