Global road traffic deaths fell by 21% between 2011 and 2025, though 1.16 million people still died in crashes last year. A new UN declaration aims to halve these fatalities by 2030.

The World Health Organization reports that global road traffic death rates dropped by 21% between 2011 and 2025, despite the addition of over one billion motor vehicles to the world's roads. However, 1.16 million people died in traffic crashes in 2025. In response, UN Member States have adopted a new declaration to accelerate safety efforts, aiming for a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030 compared to 2021 levels.

Safety Challenges and Emerging Trends

Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death for individuals aged 5–29. The rise of ride-hailing and delivery services has more than tripled the number of motorcycles on the road since 2011, with motorcyclists now accounting for nearly one-third of all global road fatalities. WHO officials noted that over half of all road deaths involve vulnerable users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who are often exposed by infrastructure designed primarily for private cars.

New UN Road Safety Commitments

The newly adopted UN declaration mandates that member states implement national road safety strategies supported by clear budgets and timelines. Countries are encouraged to adopt a 'safe system' approach, which accounts for human error by prioritizing infrastructure, speed limits, and vehicle standards that keep crash impacts within survivable levels. The declaration also calls for private sector involvement in supply chain safety and emphasizes the roles of civil society and academia in monitoring progress.

Regional Progress and Future Goals

Progress in reducing fatalities remains uneven across the globe. While the WHO European Region saw a 36% decline in deaths and the Western Pacific Region saw a 15% drop, the WHO African Region experienced a 17% increase. The WHO is currently working to address regulatory gaps regarding new mobility forms, such as e-scooters and autonomous vehicles, to ensure that evolving transport technologies meet consistent safety standards.