We understand road safety as the prevention of traffic accidents or the minimization of their effects when a traffic accident or incident occurs. Safety refers to being free from danger, harm, or risk. Thus, the definition of road safety is synonymous with the prevention of traffic accidents. Road safety pays special attention to the effects that such incidents can have on people’s lives and health.
There are certain traffic regulations that, together with the responsibility of road users, form the main tandem on which road safety is based. Both public institutions (such as the DGT) and associations dedicated to preserving road safety must promote campaigns and courses on road safety and education to reinforce aspects such as driving caution, respect for traffic officers, protection of cyclists, pedestrians, and people with disabilities, accident prevention, or the proper use of vehicles.
There is a classification of road safety elements. Thus, it is divided into primary or active, secondary or passive, and tertiary. Active safety assists the driver in avoiding possible accidents (e.g., brake lights). Passive safety aims to reduce the consequences of an accident at the moment it occurs (e.g., airbags, seat belts). Finally, tertiary safety seeks to reduce the consequences after the accident has already occurred (e.g., fuel cut-off to prevent fires).