In 2021, there were about 1.19 million road traffic deaths, which is a 5% decrease from the 1.25 million deaths in 2010. More than half of all countries have seen a reduction in road traffic deaths during this time.
This shows that efforts to make roads safer are having a positive effect. However, these efforts are still not enough to meet the United Nations goal of cutting road traffic deaths in half by 2030.
Road traffic deaths and injuries remain a major global health. They can be categorized as follows:
Age-wise Breakdown of Road Traffic Deaths:
Overall Impact: Road traffic crashes are the 12th leading cause of death for people of all ages.
Working Age: Two-thirds of road traffic deaths occur among individuals aged 18 to 59 years.
Children and Young Adults: Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5 to 29.
Vehicle-wise Breakdown of Road Traffic Deaths:
Two- and Three-Wheeled Vehicles: Riders of two- and three-wheeled vehicles account for 30% of road traffic deaths.
Four-Wheeled Vehicles: Occupants of four-wheeled vehicles contribute to 25% of fatalities.
Pedestrians: Pedestrians represent 21% of road traffic deaths.
Cyclists: Cyclists account for 5% of road traffic fatalities.
Region-wise Breakdown of Road Traffic Deaths:
European Region: This region has achieved the largest reduction in road traffic deaths since 2010, with a 36% decline.
South-East Asia Region: This region has experienced a modest 2% decrease in road traffic deaths.
Income-wise Breakdown of Road Traffic Deaths:
Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Nine out of ten road traffic deaths occur in these countries.
Low-Income Countries: People in low-income countries face the highest risk of road traffic deaths per population.
Measures to Address Road Traffic Deaths and Injuries: There has been modest advancement in implementing measures to mitigate road traffic deaths and injuries, including enacting laws that align with WHO best practices.
Many countries continue to design and build mobility systems primarily for motor vehicles, rather than prioritizing safety for all road users. This approach hampers efforts to save lives and protect vulnerable road users.
This slows efforts to save lives and to protect vulnerable road users.
Some of the greatest gains have been made where the safe system approach to road safety – which puts people and safety at the core of mobility systems – is most widely applied.
