A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is a formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent audit team. It qualitatively estimates and reports on potential road safety issues and identifies opportunities for improvements in safety for all road users.

The primary purpose of this guideline is to provide a foundation for public agencies to draw upon when developing their own RSA policies and procedures as well as conducting RSAs within their jurisdiction. The availability of a consistent guideline is anticipated to lead to a better understanding of the core concepts of RSAs and to promote their use.