Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds

Road deaths have declined globally since 1990, with a 30% reduction in injuries and deaths between 1990 and 2023, but lower-income countries lag in improvement. The U.S. saw a peak in road deaths in 2021 followed by a decline, while pedestrian fatalities fell by 7% in 2025. The WHO reported a 21% global decline in road traffic deaths from 2011 to 2025, though 90% of road deaths occur in low-income countries.