Road Safety Audits as a Strategic Tool for Fatality Reductionand Cost Efficiency in the Saudi Transportation Sector
Road Safety Audits (RSAs) are increasingly recognized as an essential component in modern road design and traffic safety management. The 2024 Saudi Highway Code mandates the implementation of RSAs for new highway projects and improvement works at various stages of planning, design, and construction. This academic article explores the significance of RSAs in achieving key objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly in reducing road traffic fatalities, improving infrastructure efficiency, and supporting sustainable urban development. The analysis highlights how RSAs not only enhance road safety but also lead to substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits. The formal integration of RSAs into the Saudi Highway Code represents a strategic shift towards a proactive, system-wide safety approach, aligning technical, institutional, and policy efforts with global best practices.
Jill K A Fenton BEng(Hons), CEng, MCIHT, MME Grade A Engineer
Jill is a Chartered Civil Engineer with the UK Engineering Council and a registered MME Grade A Engineer. Jill is a full Member of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation and Member of Society of Road Safety Auditors. Jill has previously worked in the UK for National Highways, local authorities and private design consultants, international experience includes Ashghal in Qatar and Neom in KSA. She has extensive experience in road safety engineering, studies & road safety audits, highway design, asset, management and policy making. She is a proven people manager and has managed large teams of technical professionals and engineers. She has conducted over 800 road safety audits as well as non-motorised user audits. Working with Euro Group she managed a large team of road safety engineers responsible for the design, delivery and implemenation of school zones, rural road safety and pedestrian safety schemes with some involvement with the Expressway Program of works.
Jill is an experience mentor and coach and has trained engineers to become competent and qualified road safety auditors and road safety engineers. Jill is regularly instructed to act as Expert Witness for the UK legal profession and has written and has presented papers on behalf of the CHIT
