Welcome to Scotland's Safe System Manual
Supporting you to get started with Safe System implementation. Click the blue button to get started or, if you are logged in, simply start by using the search box below:
The Manual
The manual is part of our commitment to improve knowledge and understanding of the Safe System, working with international experts to provide the latest guidance for practitioners.
Learn MoreRoad Safety Framework
The framework sets out a vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030 and a compelling long-term vision for road safety.
Learn MoreCultural Maturity Playbook
Scotland has pioneered work on creating the right culture in our organisations to support Safe System delivery. Our Cultural Maturity Playbook is a world first.
Learn MoreBrowse by Category
What is The Safe System?
A Safe System involves those who manage and design the roads as well as those who use them; each is responsible for, and must contribute to, eradicating fatal and serious injuries. Ultimately, all road users are expected to use the roads safely and comply with the rules. To help achieve our vision, the framework identifies five outcomes (Safe Road Use, Safe Roads & Roadsides, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles and Post-crash Response) which describe the road environment our approach to the Safe System aims to deliver.
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Systemic Road Safety Management
How our approach to road safety is changing to be more systemic and proactive.
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Safe Roads & Roadsides
Improving the infrastructure to eradicate the risks associated with unforgiving roads.
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Safe Road Use
Supporting those who use our roads to keep themselves and others safe.
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Safe Vehicles
Exploring the ways that the vehicles on our roads can enhance safety.
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Safe Speeds
Ensuring that we manage the high levels of harmful energy moving around the road network.
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Post-crash Response
Having a world class response ready when things go wrong, supporting those affected be crashes.
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One Death is One Too Many
Every year lives are lost or forever altered in collisions on Scotland's Roads. In addition to trauma road collisions cause economic losses to individuals their families and the country. That is why we have an ambition to eradicate road deaths and life-changing injury by 2050 through the Safe System.
Learn MoreFrequently asked questions
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What is the Safe System Manual?
The Safe System Manual is designed to support road safety professionals and their partners across Scotland. It has been created to enhance understanding about how we can more effectively deliver a road network that is safe for all who use it, in accordance with the internationally recognised approach, known as the Safe System. To find out more visit this page on The Safe System in Scotland.
Why was the manual created?
Several international guides exist that explain ‘why’ the Safe System is the best way for countries to improve their road safety performance, but they rarely explain how to go about doing it. After embarking on delivery of the ambitious Road Safety Framework to 2030, Transport Scotland recognised that there was a significant need to build capability and capacity among professional practitioners in Scotland. In addition to developing training materials and delivering courses, the manual is an important support resource to help improve our shared approach to road safety. Try out this introductory eLearning module on the Safe System.
Who was the manual created for?
The Safe System is a holistic approach that integrates the efforts of many organisations, so this manual considers the needs of a wide variety of potential users, especially from acorss the public sector such as highway authorities and blue light services. The material is principally designed for professional practitioners to help them with programme planning, designing interventions, making investment decisions and evaluating their work. This page explains in alittle more detail who the manual is designed to support.
How can I setup an account?
To access the full manual, you will need a user account which is open to any members of the professional road safety community in Scotland. On the page 'How to Use This Manual', you can follow the instructions on ‘How To Create A User Account In SafeSystem.scot’ to create your account and secure access to the platform.
Supporting the Delivery of Scotland's Road Safety Framework
A vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030