The safe system approach is the foundation of modern road safety practice in Australia and internationally. It aims to eliminate crashes that result in people being killed or seriously injured on the road network.
At its core, the safe system approach is based on an ethical position: no level of death or serious injury on our roads is acceptable. It recognises that people will make mistakes and that human bodies are vulnerable. Roads must be designed and managed so those mistakes do not result in catastrophic outcomes.
This means responsibility for road safety is shared, but not equally. Those who design, build and manage the road system have a greater responsibility to protect people from harm. Road users are expected to follow the rules, but the system must still protect them when they do not.
How the Safe System Works
The safe system approach is built on well-established safety principles, including:
The Safe System in Policy and Practice
The safe system approach underpins national and state road safety policy in Australia, including the National Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 and Driving Change: Road Safety Strategy for Western Australia 2020–2030.
Together, these strategies provide the framework that guides road safety action across all spheres of government, including Local Government.
Local Governments play a critical role in delivering safe system outcomes in Western Australia. As owners and managers of most of the road network, they have a duty of care to reduce risk and improve safety for all road users.
Local Governments influence road safety outcomes through multiple roles, including as:
- owners and managers of local roads and paths
- planning authorities shaping land use and how people move
- employers and fleet operators responsible for workplace road safety, and
- community leaders who influence local expectations about safety.
Using a safe system approach helps Local Governments embed road safety into everyday decisions — not just respond after crashes occur.
Delivering a safe system relies on strong leadership, clear governance and consistent decision-making across Local Government.
Local Governments can actively contribute to a safer road system by:
- integrating safe system principles into strategies, policies and asset management plans
- prioritising road safety outcomes alongside other objectives
- using data and evidence to guide investment decisions
- applying proven, evidence-based treatments that reduce crash severity, and
- working with neighbouring Local Governments, state agencies and communities.
WALGA’s RoadWise program works with Local Governments to support practical delivery of safe system outcomes across Western Australia.
RoadWise contributes to safe system outcomes by:
- supporting strong leadership and governance for road safety
- providing practical tools and guidance aligned with safe system principles
- building Local Government capability through training and professional development
- helping Local Governments plan, prioritise and invest using evidence, and
- aligning local efforts with national and state road safety priorities.
Through our RoadWise Council initiative, WALGA supports Local Governments at all stages of their road safety journey through initiatives, tools and professional development. If you would like to know more about the growing network of Local Governments embedding the safe system approach into everyday practice — from planning and designing to leading and engaging community, visit our RoadWise Council page.
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