Embrace the Safe System Approach: Making Roads Safer for Everyone
The Safe System Approach to Road Safety takes a holistic view of the road system, and the interactions between roads, vehicles, speeds and road users. It recognises that people will make mistakes and have collisions, but the system should be forgiving and those collisions should not result in death or serious injury. It is an inclusive approach that caters for all groups using the network, including drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and commercial and heavy vehicle drivers.
The safe system approach is the key to a reduction in road collisions and casualties and is why Jersey has chose to implement it.
The Safe System Approach is underpinned by four fundamental principles designed to protect us all:
Mistakes Happen, Let’s Protect Lives: We all make mistakes, but they shouldn’t lead to serious injuries or death on our roads. The Safe System Approach ensures that our roads forgive those mistakes, safeguarding every journey.
Understanding Our Limits: The human body can only withstand so much. Our roads and safety measures consider this fundamental truth, aiming to protect all users, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Shared Responsibility = Safer Roads: Road safety isn’t just about individual actions; it’s a collective effort. From planners and policymakers to everyday road users, we all play a crucial role in creating a safer road environment.
Strengthening the System Through Unity: To truly make our roads safer, we need to invest in all aspects of road safety: safer roads and roadsides, appropriate speed limits, vehicle safety, responsible road use, and effective post-collision response. Each layer of protection brings us closer to a system that secures the well-being of all road users.
The Five Pillars of the Safe System Approach:
Safe Roads and Roadsides: Designing roads to minimise collision risk and severity. This includes separating different types of road users, enhancing visibility, and setting protective speed limits.
Safe Speeds: Establishing speed limits that prevent severe injuries and ensure that impacts are survivable, based on road characteristics and user vulnerability.
Safe Vehicles: Promoting vehicles equipped with safety features that prevent collisions and protect occupants, ensuring all vehicles meet high safety standards.
Safe Road Use: Encouraging responsible road use through education and enforcement, adapting to road conditions, and avoiding risky behaviours. This pillar also emphasises the importance of sustainable travel options to reduce overall traffic.
Post-Collision Response: Collaborating with emergency services to ensure swift and effective response to collisions, aiming to improve health outcomes for victims through prompt and expert medical care.