The Safe System is based on four key principles designed to minimise the risk and severity of crashes. The four key principles are:
- People Make Mistakes
Humans are fallible and will inevitably make errors while using the road. The system should be designed to anticipate these mistakes and reduce the risk of them leading to serious injury or death. - Human Vulnerability
There is a limit to the physical forces the human body can withstand. The road system must be designed to ensure that crash forces remain below the threshold that causes fatal or serious injuries. - Shared Responsibility
Responsibility for road safety is shared by all stakeholders — not just road users, but also road designers, vehicle manufacturers, policymakers, and law enforcement. Everyone has a role in creating a safe system. - Redundancy in the System
The road system should be built with multiple layers of protection so that if one part fails, others can still prevent serious outcomes.
These principles form the foundation of modern road safety strategies.
Action is taken across five key elements of the Safe System and across multiple levers for delivery:
- Safe roads
- Safe people
- Safe vehicles
- Safe speeds
- Post collision response
