Region 1 Planning Council (R1) is developing a regional traffic safety action plan to address identified transportation safety concerns in the Rockford metropolitan planning area (MPA). The regional traffic safety plan uses the Safe System Approach which aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users. There are six principles that form the Safe System approach: deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable, humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared, safety is proactive, and redundancy is crucial. The Safe System approach requires a supporting safety culture that places safety first and foremost in road system investment decisions.

In addition to the Safe System Approach, the Vision Zero approach is also helping to shape the Plan. The zero deaths vision acknowledges that even one death on our transportation system is unacceptable and focuses on safe mobility for all road users.

This project is funded through the United States Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The purpose of the SS4A program is to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries.