Despite important efforts and progress, road crashes constitute a major public health problem worldwide, since each year 1,35 million people are killed in road crashes, with far higher burden of fatalities in LMIC. Human factors are the main contributory factors in crashes, however their complex interaction with elements of the road infrastructure and the vehicle result in various crash mechanisms. Accordingly, a Safe System approach shifts the blame from the human and introduces a shared responsibility in road safety policy. Effective road safety management includes risk assessment, decision-making and safety impact assessment at all levels of the road safety system, within an evidence-based approach. Technology developments, mainly in the area of vehicle automation, may have the potential to dramatically reduce road crashes, however more evidence is needed on the conditions of their safe and responsible deployment.