Road traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death and injury worldwide, with speed recognized as a critical risk factor. This paper examines the relationship between road design, operating speed, and accident occurrence, using both Croatian case studies and international best practices. Findings reveal that mismatches between road geometry, design speed, and posted speed limits often encourage drivers to travel above safe speeds, undermining enforcement efforts and increasing crash risk. Case studies such as the Turanj Bypass illustrate how inadequate infrastructure, insufficient signage, and lack of self-explaining and forgiving road principles contribute to unsafe driving behavior. The paper highlights the need for a systemic approach, recommending the adoption of modern design philosophies that intuitively guide driver behavior and mitigate the consequences of human error to achieve substantial and sustainable improvements in road safety.