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Forgiving roadsides

Updated: 17 November 2009

A major focus of our safety activities is on putting in place measures that help prevent road crashes from occurring. However, no matter how many measures we develop, factors outside of our control, such as driver error, mean that road crashes will still occur. That's why one of our supporting prevention measures is the creation of 'forgiving roadsides'. These roadsides are areas beside a road that provide the safest possible environment for vehicles in the event that they leave the road.

Features of forgiving roadsides

Features of forgiving roadsides include:

  • clear zones where there are no obstacles, such as trees, that a vehicle could hit
  • slopes that enable a vehicle driver to either regain control or bring their vehicle to a safe stop.

Where it's not possible to provide a forgiving roadside, road safety barriers can help to redirect out-of-control vehicles away from other vehicles and potential hazards.

Learn about what we're doing to make state highways safer for all road users by: