Florida to Adopt ‘Safe System’ Traffic Safety Approach

The concept focuses on road design and policy that reduces the likelihood of severe injuries and deaths.

1 minute read

October 27, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of palm tree-lined boulevard in Miami, Florida with white PT Cruiser driving by.

dougholder / Adobe Stock

Florida is moving toward a ‘Safe System’ approach to traffic safety as road fatalities in the state rise, reports Susan Giles Wantuck for WUSF. According to Pei-Sung Lin of the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida, the approach acknowledges that humans make mistakes and aims to reduce the likelihood that those mistakes will be fatal.

For example, since crashes at higher speeds are more likely to result in serious injuries and deaths, designing roads with roundabouts, low speed limits, and other traffic calming features can improve safety by forcing drivers to slow down. “[F]or bike riders and pedestrians, a crash at 15 miles per hour, instead of one at 45, may be one they can survive.”

Lin also explains that “redundancy is crucial.” The article adds, “What that means is safe people, safe roads and the latter can be accomplished by providing ‘clearer signage, pavement markings, regular pavement friction, clear traffic control devices ... that also will contribute to protection of our users.’”

Thursday, October 26, 2023 in WUSF

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Colorful blocky apartment building facade.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software

Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

April 1 - Stateline

Silver electric BMW car parked in driveway of home in Oakland, California.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers

Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

April 1 - City of Oakland

Sculpture of seated Jane Goodall holding hands with chimp on green lawn.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action

Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

April 1 - Pasadena Star-News