Traditionally, three elements ( the 3 E's) have been used to describe the areas that affect traffic safety; we have expanded that original set to a total of six. Below is a brief summary of those elements:
Education includes knowledge and skill development of the driver, and includes: Knowledge of driving laws, regulations, common sense application to operating a motor vehicle. New teen drivers are most affected by graduated driver licencing laws (see the links page).
Knowledge and care of the vehicle they are operating on public roads, including age of the vehicle, maintenance of the vehicles, capability of the vehicle, etc.
Knowledge of the roads that they intend to use, including speed, congestion level, access, traffic control designs and devices, etc
Personal skills and abilities in the operation of their vehicle, and the limits involved of each.
Decision to be an 'Active Participant' of the the driving public. Active participant drivers do not go into 'auto pilot'; they consciously drive their vehicle to their destination.
Engineering
This includes both the engineering of the roads, streets, and highways, and the vehicles that are used in traveling those roads.
Enforcement
Enforcement includes both the legislation, statutes, and local ordinances that dictate traffic laws and regulations, and the law enforcement agencies that enforce them.
Environment
Environment pertains to actual permanent detail of the roadway location, as well as the temporary weather conditions and other possible factors that influence the current driving environment (business signing, access, billboards etc).
Evaluation
Every system of this magnitude is deserving of constant evaluation of all the elements that factor into the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the travel over time.
Emergency Medical Care
Unfortunately, since travel involves the simple movement of pedstrians and bicyclists as well as the movement of huge trucks and tons of vehicle and cargo, accidents and crashes will occur. The availability of local, adequately trained emergency medical care is crucial in this mix of people and vehicles.