Kenngineering Notes: A Discussion on Road Safety Audit independence
Jan 28, 2026
Last year I shared a post about Road Safety Audit independence. It caused a bit of a kerfuffle. You can read the post and varied comments here.
This week I was asked to do a 3rd party review of a Road Safety Audit for a major project where the same consultancy completed both the design and the independent RSA.
To be clear, the audit itself was solid. Solid issues identified, appropriate risk ratings, and strong recommendations. I am not arguing that this approach cannot work.
My question is simpler. Why take the risk?
Having been involved in road safety legal cases over the years, this feels like an easily avoidable exposure. There are plenty of highly capable and truly independent auditors across Australia and New Zealand.
In the end, it is the road manager who carries the bulk of the risk for allowing this approach. I am not sure that is always well understood in these big multifaceted contracts.
Just my two cents. Keen to hear other perspectives.
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Last year I shared a post about Road Safety Audit independence. It caused a bit of a kerfuffle. You can read the post and varied comments here.
This week I was asked to do a 3rd party review of a Road Safety Audit for a major project where the same consultancy completed both the design and the independent RSA.
To be clear, the audit itself was solid. Solid issues identified, appropriate risk ratings, and strong recommendations. I am not arguing that this approach cannot work.
My question is simpler. Why take the risk?
Having been involved in road safety legal cases over the years, this feels like an easily avoidable exposure. There are plenty of highly capable and truly independent auditors across Australia and New Zealand.
In the end, it is the road manager who carries the bulk of the risk for allowing this approach. I am not sure that is always well understood in these big multifaceted contracts.
Just my two cents. Keen to hear other perspectives.