The Safe System in Action

12 September 2022

A joint International Transport Forum–World Bank Working Group on “Implementing the Safe System” has developed a theoretical framework to guide those seeking to implement the Safe System approach. This report - The Safe System in Action describes how to improve the safety of roads, vehicles, road-user behaviour and other road-safety pillars through the various key components of a Safe System . Experts analysed road-safety activities and interventions in 17 case studies from all continents with this framework in mind. Some were successful; others showed that the road to a Safe System is not always well paved.

The case studies demonstrated that implementing the Safe System approach requires patience and endurance. The same is true for writing reports such as this one. The ITF has been working on this subject for decades. This report stands on the shoulders of two previous reports (published in 2008 and 2016) describing how to develop a Safe System. With each new report, the ITF moves closer to a practical, handson guide to implementing a Safe System. A guide that can be used in any country, city or district.