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Road Deaths Decline Globally, But Not Everywhere
21 Jul
Summary
- Global road deaths and injuries fell over 30% between 1990 and 2023.
- Nine out of ten road deaths occur in low-income countries.
- Road traffic deaths remain the leading cause of death for 5-29 year olds.
Globally, road injuries and deaths have seen a substantial reduction of over 30% from 1990 to 2023. However, this positive trend has not been consistent across all nations, with lower-income countries lagging significantly in improvements.
Despite a worldwide decline, road traffic deaths persist as the leading cause of mortality for young people aged 5 to 29. Nine out of every ten road deaths occur in low-income countries, underscoring a critical gap in safety measures and infrastructure.
Recent data indicates a decline in U.S. road deaths in 2024 and 2025, following a period of increase. The World Health Organization reported a 21% drop in traffic deaths between 2011 and 2025, though over 1.1 million lives were still lost last year.
Safety measures in many low-income nations have not kept pace with urban growth and vehicle usage. High-income countries generally exhibit more common seat belt mandates and advanced car safety features, such as airbags, contributing to better outcomes.
