Global Road Deaths Decline, But Low-Income Nations Lag

Road-related deaths and injuries globally have decreased by more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to a recent study. This significant progress, however, has not been evenly distributed across all nations. While many countries have seen improvements, six nations, including the United States, experienced an increase in pedestrian and vehicle occupant fatalities during this period.

More recent data indicates a downward trend in U.S. road deaths in 2024 and 2025. The World Health Organization reported a 21% decline in traffic deaths between 2011 and 2025, though over 1.1 million lives were still lost last year, making road crashes the leading cause of death for ages 5-29. The disparity is stark, with 90% of road deaths occurring in low-income countries, where safety measures often struggle to keep pace with urban and vehicle growth.

Factors contributing to U.S. fatalities include larger vehicles and distracted driving, such as phone use. Official estimates show motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S. peaked at over 43,000 in 2021 before falling to approximately 36,600 last year. Additionally, pedestrian fatalities saw a 7% reduction in 2025 compared to the prior year, the largest decrease in three years, though still higher than pre-pandemic levels. This news coincides with a United Nations high-level meeting in New York City focused on improving global road safety.