## 1 Introduction  
Alongside various road safety aspects, vehicle dynamics play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in modern society within a holistic traffic safety framework [1]. According to a report by the World Health Organization, the number of road accident fatalities has been gradually declining worldwide, but the 1.19 million lives lost on the roads and the disparity in crash rates among different regions remain disproportionately high, considering technological advancements and the vast resources allocated towards road safety [2]. The risks posed by different road transport systems are particularly relevant in the context of increasing mobility and travel. The main pillars for Safe System Approach (SSA) in terms of road safety cover safe road users, vehicles, speeds, roads, and post-crash care; moreover, the potential of the SSA is further enhanced by safety systems based on modern technologies such as vehicle active and passive safety [3, 4, 5], advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) [6, 7], computer-based accident and systems operation simulations and co-simulations [8, 9, 10]. A separate and distinct focus on achieving Vision Zero on the road [11] relates to autonomous vehicle control technologies [12, 13].  
While the behavior of road users is widely acknowledged as a significant factor contributing to contributory accidents [14], the interaction between vehicles, road users, and the road itself (the traffic environment) is considered to be a more rapid, engineered element affecting road safety [15, 16, 17]. It is important to recognize that the vehicle plays a key role in interactions with both the driver and the road, so the comprehensive development of safety technologies can help to further reduce road accidents. From this perspective, the technological development of various aspects of vehicle dynamics leads to both safety and sustainability aspects in road transportation [18, 19].  
A new approach involving modern technologies such as optimization techniques, artificial intelligence, efficient complex computational algorithms, or advanced decision-making models is needed to solve both classical automotive dynamics or road safety issues as well as the transport problems of today or the near future. In this scope, the presented Special Issue summarizes research focusing on vehicle dynamics and road safety issues, including advanced technologies, simulations, and the practical application of various technical solutions. The methods presented not only speed up the problem-solving process, but the methods developed allow the inclusion of many more variables by linking the study to modern complex problems. Depending on the specific publication of this issue, new variables used include different driver models (with a steering and braking feel approach), the effect of crosswinds on vehicle stability, specific vehicle properties (kinematics, compliance, and tire model), or the design of an artificial neural network. The proposed research articles also cover real-life issues of safe and effective cargo transportation, road accident research, vehicle technical reliability, or inspections where modern tools and intelligent process management are implemented. However, current research cannot be imagined without virtual or simulation models applicable for the development of autonomous driving, vehicle chassis design, or traffic situations.  
This Special Issue contains twenty-three articles, a brief overview of which is presented in the second chapter. The purpose of this review is to encourage readers to delve deeper into specific research on the topic of vehicle dynamics and road safety, sharing the latest research in the field.