Liane Ong

Road deaths have decreased by over 30% globally between 1990 and 2023, but 90% of fatal crashes now occur in low-income countries. The U.S. saw rising road deaths until 2021, with recent declines, while pedestrian fatalities dropped in 2025 but remain above pre-pandemic levels. A study by the University of Washington highlights disparities in safety measures between high- and low-income nations.

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.

Road deaths have declined globally by over 30% since 1990, but lower-income countries have seen little improvement. A study in Lancet Public Health highlights disparities, noting 90% of road deaths occur in low-income nations, while the WHO reports a 21% decline in road traffic deaths from 2011 to 2025 despite 1.1 million annual fatalities. In the U.S., road deaths declined in 2024-2025 after rising in the previous decade, with pedestrian deaths dropping by 7% in 2025.

Road deaths have declined globally by over 30% since 1990, but lower-income countries show little improvement. The WHO reported a 21% decline in road traffic deaths between 2011 and 2025, yet 90% of road deaths occur in low-income countries where safety measures lag behind urbanization and motor vehicle growth. In the U.S., fatalities peaked in 2021 but began declining in 2024.