Global Road Deaths Decline 30%, But Poorer Nations Bear 90% Burden

Global road injury and death rates each decreased by more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health. Despite this overall progress, the study highlights significant disparities, with approximately 90% of fatal road crashes now occurring in low-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 21% decline in road traffic deaths between 2011 and 2025, though over 1.1 million lives were still lost last year, making traffic crashes the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5 to 29 years.

The research, conducted by the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, found that while road injury rates are higher in high-income nations, the sheer volume of fatalities is concentrated in poorer countries. This disparity is attributed to a lack of adequate safety measures in many low-income nations, which have not kept pace with rapid urbanization and the increasing use of motorized vehicles. For instance, safety features like seat belt mandates and airbags are more prevalent in high-income countries.

In contrast, some high-income countries, including the United States, experienced an increase in pedestrian and vehicle occupant deaths during the 1990-2023 period. However, more recent data indicates a decline in U.S. road deaths in 2024 and 2025. The authors of the study noted that conflicting trends in the U.S., such as the increasing size of passenger vehicles, contribute to these outcomes. Liane Ong, the senior author of the paper, stated that road injury outcomes are influenced by crash prevention systems and protective measures in place, not just the crashes themselves.