WHO data reveals 21% global drop in road deaths despite vehicle surge

The World Health Organization has released new data indicating that global road traffic deaths declined by 21 per cent between 2011 and 2025, a significant achievement occurring alongside the addition of more than one billion motor vehicles to the world’s roads. Despite this reduction, road crashes still claimed 1.16 million lives in 2025, with injuries remaining the leading cause of death for children and youth aged five to 29 years.

The findings coincide with the adoption of a new United Nations General Assembly progress declaration on road safety. This declaration aims to boost global action towards the Sustainable Development Goal target of a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 compared with 2021 levels. It includes commitments from member states to implement national strategies with clear targets, timelines, and budgets, while establishing lead agencies and enforcing stronger legislation.

Progress in reducing road deaths has been uneven across different regions. The WHO European Region reported a 36 per cent drop in deaths, while the Western Pacific Region saw a 15 per cent decline. In contrast, the WHO African Region experienced a 17 per cent rise, the Americas reported no change, and the South-East Asian Region recorded only a 2 per cent drop.

The road traffic landscape has shifted profoundly during this period, marked by a sharp rise in motorcycle use. The number of motorcycles more than tripled between 2011 and 2025, and deaths among motorcyclists now account for nearly a third of the world’s road fatalities. WHO data notes that wearing a safe motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of death in a crash by more than six times.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated that the progress shows change is possible when countries invest in safe road systems. He commended the political declaration for aiming to ensure more roads are designed for people first, not motor vehicles, with safety as the priority. The declaration promotes the safe system approach, which recognises that people make mistakes and ensures crash impacts remain within survivable levels.

With nearly 60 per cent of the world’s population now living in urban areas, growing mobility demands threaten transport systems largely designed around private cars. New forms of mobility, including e-scooters, e-bikes, and autonomous vehicles, present both challenges and opportunities. More than half of all road deaths involve people not in a car, such as pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, highlighting the risks when roads are designed primarily for car drivers.

Ten countries reduced road deaths by 50 per cent in the decade leading up to 2021, and more than half of all countries reported falling fatalities during that period. The new UN declaration emphasises that strengthening road safety is key to improving public health and sustainable development, noting that increased walking, cycling, and public transport use can reduce congestion and improve air quality.