The global rate of road traffic deaths dropped by 21% between 2011 and 2025, even as the number of motor vehicles on the world's roads grew by more than one billion, according to new data from the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this progress, road crashes still killed 1.16 million people in 2025, and road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death for children and young people aged 5 to 29.
The WHO released the data as world leaders adopted a new United Nations declaration on road safety. The declaration aims to cut road deaths and serious injuries in half by 2030, compared with 2021 levels. It calls for national road safety strategies with clear targets, budgets, and timelines, as well as stronger laws, better data collection, and safer roads and vehicles.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the progress shows change is possible when countries invest in safe road systems, but added that all road deaths are preventable. The declaration promotes a 'safe system' approach, which accounts for human error by designing roads, vehicles, and speed limits that keep crash impacts survivable.
Motorcycle deaths have risen sharply, now accounting for nearly one-third of all road fatalities. Wearing a safe helmet reduces the risk of death by more than six times. The rise of e-scooters, e-bikes, and delivery apps has also created new challenges.
Progress varies widely by region. Deaths fell 36% in Europe, 15% in the Western Pacific, and 2% in Southeast Asia, while rates stayed the same in the Americas and rose 17% in Africa. Ten countries managed to cut road deaths by half in the decade leading up to 2021.