Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds
Traffic crashes still killed more than 1.1 million people last year, while lower-income countries saw little of the global decline, researchers said.
- Global road injury and death rates have fallen more than 30% since 1990, according to a study published in Lancet Public Health. Yet traffic crashes claimed more than 1.1 million lives last year.
- While high-income countries benefit from safety features like seat belts, 90% of road deaths occur in low-income nations. Safety measures in many developing areas have not kept pace with rapid urbanization and increased vehicle use.
- Motor vehicle fatalities in the United States peaked at more than 43,000 in 2021 before declining; recent data shows road deaths fell in 2024 and 2025. The Governors Highway Safety Association reported a 7% reduction in pedestrian deaths during 2025.
- The Lancet report coincides with a two-day United Nations high-level meeting on global road safety in New York City. The World Health Organization has identified road safety as an international public health priority for more than two decades.
- Road injury outcomes are shaped by systems designed to prevent crashes and protect people when they occur, said Liane Ong, the new paper's senior author. Systemic risks including 'distracted driving' and proliferation of larger vehicles compound these challenges.
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57 Articles
Road Deaths Drop Globally
Road deaths are declining in the US and worldwide, but lower-income countries aren't experiencing much of the improvement, according to a study published Monday. Global rates of road injuries and deaths each fell more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to the study published in the Lancet , which noted...
Global Road Death Rates Fall, But Poorer Nations Continue To Struggle
Global rates of road injuries and fatalities have declined by more than 30% since 1990, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health. According to the report, despite this long-term improvement, road traffic crashes continue to claim more than 1.1 million lives annually, with the overwhelming majority of deaths occurring in low-income countries.💡The report said high-income nations have benefited from stronger road safety measures,…
NEW YORK (AP) — Road accident deaths have been declining in the United States and the rest of the world, although this has not been the case in lower-income countries, according to a study published on...
Associated Press News
Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds
New estimates show road deaths are declining in the U.S. and globally. A study published Monday in Lancet Public Health reveals global road injuries and deaths each fell more than 30% from 1990 to 2023.
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