GG119 Road Safety Audit Guide: Key Areas to Check

A good audit covers the whole road environment. Auditors should look at how each feature works on its own and how it affects other road users.

1. Road Layout and Geometry

Road layout affects speed, visibility, and driver control. Check the following points during the audit:

• Are lane and shoulder widths suitable for the road?
• Can drivers see far enough ahead to stop safely?
• Are bends and slopes easy to read?
• Do junctions allow safe entry and exit?
• Does the road layout suit the expected traffic?
• Can large vehicles move through the route safely?

Record any design feature that may confuse drivers or limit their ability to react in time.

2. Signs, Signals, and Road Markings

Signs and markings guide road users. Poor signs can cause sudden stops, wrong turns, and unsafe moves.

Check that:

• All required signs are present and easy to read.
• Traffic signals work as intended.
• Road markings are clear and visible.
• Speed limit signs match the road conditions.
• Warning signs appear before hazards.
• Signs and trees do not block each other’s view.

Also check how well signs and markings work at night and in poor weather.

3. Junctions and Intersections

Junctions bring different road users together. They can create serious risks when the layout or visibility is poor.

During the GG119 Road Safety Audit, check:

• Clear views of traffic from each approach.
• Safe turning paths for all vehicle types.
• Suitable traffic signals and priority controls.
• Safe crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Clear lane markings and direction signs.
• Safe entry and exit points near roundabouts.

Pay close attention to places where vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians may cross each other’s paths.

4. Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

Roads should meet the needs of all users, not just drivers. Children, older people, and people with disabilities may face extra risks.

Check for safe footpaths, crossings, and cycle routes. Look for damaged paving, missing tactile paving, poor lighting, and obstacles that block access.

You should also check whether people can cross busy roads safely. Where cycle lanes exist, make sure they are clear and do not end at dangerous points.

5. Roadside Hazards and Safety Barriers

Objects close to a road can increase the harm caused by a crash. These may include trees, poles, walls, steep slopes, and deep drains.

Review roadside risks and check whether suitable barriers or other controls are needed. Confirm that existing barriers are in good condition and protect road users where required.

Do not assume that a barrier always improves safety. Its position, design, and purpose must suit the risk at that location.

6. Pavement and Drainage

A damaged road surface can affect braking, steering, and vehicle control. Water on the road can make these risks worse.

Check for:

• Potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces.
• Loose stones or other debris.
• Poor drainage and waterlogging.
• Slippery road surfaces.
• Faded or damaged markings.
• Unsafe changes in road level.

Record each defect and its location. Photos can help the project team understand the issue and plan repairs.

7. Lighting and Visibility

Good visibility helps road users spot hazards and react in time. Poor lighting can make a safe-looking road dangerous after dark.

Check street lights, reflective signs, road markings, and sightlines. Look for trees, walls, parked vehicles, or other objects that block views near crossings and junctions.

Where needed, recommend further checks at night or in poor weather. A daytime visit may not reveal every visibility problem.

8. Temporary Traffic Management

Road works can change how people use a route. Poor diversions or unclear signs may put workers and road users at risk.

Review temporary signs, cones, barriers, lane closures, and diversion routes. Check whether drivers receive clear warnings before they reach a work area.

After work ends, make sure temporary controls no longer in use are removed. Check that the final layout is clear and safe for normal traffic.

9. Traffic Flow and Collision History

Past collisions and traffic patterns can help teams find areas that need closer review. However, a lack of reported crashes does not prove that a road is safe.

Review available collision data, traffic counts, and speed surveys. Look for repeated crashes, sudden changes in speed, queues, and conflicts at merging points.

Use this information with site observations and design reviews. Together, these checks can help the team understand where risks may arise.

What Should a GG119 Road Safety Audit Checklist Include?

A checklist gives auditors a clear way to review each part of a scheme. It also helps teams keep records in the same format.

A useful GG119 Road Safety Audit checklist should include the following details:

• Project name, road number, and site location.
• Audit stage and inspection date.
• Auditor names and roles.
• Design plans and other reference documents.
• Road layout and visibility checks.
• Junction and crossing checks.
• Signs, signals, and road markings.
• Pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
• Roadside hazards and barriers.
• Pavement, drainage, and lighting.
• Collision data and known safety concerns.
• Findings, evidence, and risk details.
• Recommended actions and follow-up records.

The checklist should allow the auditor to mark items as Yes, No, or Not Applicable where suitable. Each negative answer should include a clear note when it points to a safety concern.

Remember that a general checklist is a starting point. It does not replace the official GG119 requirements or the judgement of a qualified audit team.

Free Road Safety Checklists from eAuditor

eAuditor offers digital checklists that help teams record inspections, document risks, and manage follow-up work. You can use these resources as a starting point and adapt them to your scheme and audit needs.

1. GG119 Road Safety Audit

Use this checklist to structure a review of road design, traffic controls, visibility, and other road safety concerns.

Link: https://eauditor.app/2025/12/27/gg119-road-safety-audit/

2. Road Safety Audit Checklist

This resource covers key road safety topics, such as road layout, signs, pavement, pedestrian facilities, lighting, and risk control. It can help teams build a clear inspection process.

Link: https://eauditor.app/2025/12/27/road-safety-audit-checklist/

3. Road Safety Audit Checklist from the eAuditor Library

The eAuditor Library provides a checklist with questions on sight distance, design speed, speed limits, overtaking, and how drivers read the road. These checks can help auditors review whether road features are clear and suitable for users.

Link: https://library.eauditor.app/templates/0e614e4a-e345-4474-bf58-b343da15d737?categoryId=14

Choose the checklist that best fits your work. Before using any template for a formal audit, review each question against the current GG119 document, the audit stage, and the rules set by the relevant highway authority.

How to Conduct a GG119 Road Safety Audit

A clear process helps auditors work in a consistent way. Follow these steps to prepare, inspect, report, and track findings.

Step 1: Define the Audit Scope

Start by confirming the project, site, audit stage, and work to be reviewed. Identify the road sections, junctions, and other features that fall within the audit.

Next, agree on the documents the team needs. These may include design plans, traffic data, collision records, and reports from earlier audits.

Step 2: Select the Right Checklist

Choose a checklist that fits the scheme and the audit stage. Add relevant questions where needed, but do not remove checks required by the applicable standard.

A digital checklist can make it easier to record findings and keep all the details together.

Step 3: Review the Design Documents

Study the drawings and other project records before the site visit. Look for possible issues with road geometry, junctions, signs, crossings, and roadside features.

Make a note of areas that need closer review. This helps the team focus its site inspection.

Step 4: Inspect the Site

Visit the site when the audit process calls for it. Review the road from the point of view of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other users.

Take clear photos of hazards where useful. Record the exact location and explain how each issue may affect safety.

Step 5: Record Findings and Risks

Write each finding in plain language. State what the problem is, where it occurs, and why it may create a risk.

Avoid vague notes such as “poor road design.” Instead, describe the feature and its likely effect on road users.

Step 6: Prepare the Audit Report

Bring the findings together in a clear report. Include the project details, audit stage, issues found, and supporting evidence.

The report should explain the safety concern and offer a suitable recommendation. Follow the required report format and approval process for the scheme.

Step 7: Review Responses and Track Actions

The project team should review each finding and respond through the process set by the relevant authority. Record agreed actions and keep the supporting documents.

Track outstanding items until the team has dealt with them or recorded the required decision. A digital system can make this process easier to follow.

How eAuditor Can Help with GG119 Road Safety Audits

Paper checklists and scattered files can make audit records hard to manage. A digital process helps teams keep findings, evidence, and follow-up tasks in one place.

With eAuditor Audits & Inspections, teams can use digital checklists to:

• Record inspection results in a consistent format.
• Add photos and notes to support findings.
• Keep audit records easy to review.
• Assign follow-up tasks to the right people.
• Set deadlines for corrective actions.
• Track open and completed tasks.
• Build reports for review and record keeping.

These features can save time on routine admin and help teams focus on road safety. They also make it easier to share clear records with project staff and managers.

To learn more, visit eAuditor Audits & Inspections.

Keep in mind that digital tools support the audit process. They do not replace a qualified audit team, the official standard, or the approval process required for a highway scheme.

Common GG119 Road Safety Audit Mistakes to Avoid

Even a detailed checklist can miss key risks if the team does not use it with care.

Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Using an outdated standard: Check the current GG119 revision and applicable local requirements.
• Relying only on drawings: Review the site when required and consider how people may use the road.
• Ignoring vulnerable road users: Check walking, cycling, and access needs as well as vehicle movement.
• Writing vague findings: State the location, hazard, and likely safety impact.
• Skipping photo evidence: Use clear photos when they help explain the issue.
• Leaving actions open: Track agreed responses and follow the required process.
• Treating a checklist as proof of compliance: A completed checklist does not, by itself, show that a scheme meets every requirement.

A careful review helps the team produce useful findings and make better decisions.

Benefits of a Digital GG119 Road Safety Audit

A digital audit process can help teams manage information from the first review to the final action.

Better records: Teams can store findings, photos, and notes together.

Clear responsibility: Action owners and deadlines help everyone understand what they need to do.

Faster reporting: Digital records can reduce the need to copy details from paper forms into reports.

Easier follow-up: Managers can review open actions and check progress.

More consistent checks: A shared checklist helps auditors follow the same structure across a project.

Better access to evidence: Teams can find past records more easily when they need to review a concern or decision.

These benefits depend on how well the team sets up and uses its process. Good training and clear responsibilities remain essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a GG119 Road Safety Audit?

A GG119 Road Safety Audit is a structured review of road safety risks linked to highway schemes covered by the standard. It helps identify hazards and recommend changes that may improve safety for road users.

2. Who can conduct a GG119 Road Safety Audit?

The audit must follow the competence, independence, and team requirements set out in the applicable GG119 revision and the overseeing organisation’s rules. Use suitably qualified and authorised road safety audit staff.

3. What are the main stages of a GG119 Road Safety Audit?

The process can include preliminary design, detailed design, a site inspection near completion, and a review after opening. The stages that apply depend on the scheme and the current requirements.

4. What does a GG119 Road Safety Audit checklist cover?

It may cover road layout, visibility, junctions, signs, signals, road markings, crossings, cycle routes, roadside hazards, pavement, drainage, lighting, and temporary traffic management.

5. Is a free GG119 Road Safety Audit checklist enough for compliance?

No. A free checklist can help organise the review, but it cannot guarantee compliance. The audit team must follow the current standard, the scope of the scheme, and the rules of the relevant authority.

6. Can I use eAuditor for a GG119 Road Safety Audit?

Yes. You can use eAuditor to organise digital checks, record findings, add evidence, and track follow-up tasks. You must still ensure that the checklist and audit process meet the applicable requirements.

7. How should an auditor record a road safety issue?

State the location, describe the hazard, explain the possible effect on road users, and add photos or other evidence where useful. Then follow the required process for reporting the finding and recording the response.

8. Why is sight distance important in a road safety audit?

Sight distance affects how early a driver can see a hazard and react to it. Poor visibility near bends, junctions, and crossings can increase the risk of a crash.

9. What is the difference between a road safety audit and a road condition inspection?

A road safety audit looks for risks linked to a highway scheme and its effect on road users. A road condition inspection often focuses on defects such as potholes, damaged signs, and poor drainage. The two may overlap, but they serve different purposes.

10. How does digital audit software improve follow-up?

Digital tools can help teams assign actions, set deadlines, attach evidence, and review progress. This makes it easier to see which issues remain open and which have been addressed.

Conclusion

A GG119 Road Safety Audit helps teams find safety risks before they lead to harm. By reviewing road layouts, junctions, signs, crossings, and other key features, auditors can give project teams clear findings to act on.

A well-planned audit needs the right people, reliable evidence, and a clear process for handling each finding. Digital checklists from eAuditor can support this work by keeping inspection records and follow-up tasks organised.

Start with the right checklist, follow the current GG119 requirements, and keep road user safety at the centre of every decision. These steps can help teams build safer roads and manage audit work with greater clarity.