In 2021, an approximate 1.19 million road traffic fatalities were recorded, marking a 5% decline from the 1.25 million reported in 2010. Over half of all United Nations Member States successfully curtailed road traffic deaths between 2010 and 2021. Despite the global motor vehicle fleet more than doubling, substantial expansion of road networks, and a nearly one-billion increase in the global population, there was a modest overall decrease in fatalities. This underscores the effectiveness of endeavors to enhance road safety but falls considerably short of the necessary measures to achieve the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 target of halving deaths by 2030.
The European Region leads in reporting the most significant decrease in deaths since 2010, witnessing a notable 36% decline. Meanwhile, the Western Pacific Region notes a 16% reduction, the South-East Asia Region experiences a 2% downturn, and the number of fatalities remains constant in the Region of the Americas. Noteworthy reductions in death rates were observed in 108 countries, with 10 achieving a 50% decrease by 2021. However, 66 countries, including 28 in the African Region, documented an increase in fatalities, with a 17% rise since 2010.
As the global population expands and urbanizes, the escalating need for mobility poses a significant challenge to transport systems, especially those heavily dependent on private vehicles. Despite this trend, numerous countries persist in developing mobility infrastructure primarily tailored for motor vehicles rather than prioritizing the safety and well-being of people. This approach hampers initiatives aimed at saving lives and ensuring the protection of vulnerable road users.
