Abu dhabi: Despite the addition of more than one billion motor vehicles to the world's roads, the global rate of road traffic deaths declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to Emirates News Agency, the world has experienced changes in road traffic with the emergence of new modes of transport and a rise in motorcycle use. Despite this progress, road traffic crashes still claimed 1.16 million lives in 2025. Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5-29 years.
The new WHO data arrives as global leaders adopt a new United Nations (UN) General Assembly progress declaration on road safety. The declaration aims to boost global action to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a 50% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 compared with the levels in 2021.
'This progress shows that change is possible when countries invest in safe road systems. In the last 15 years, we've made progress in reducing road deaths, despite surging vehicle numbers and shifts in how people move,' said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'I commend countries for the political declaration they are adopting today, which aims to accelerate action to ensure more roads are designed for people first, not motor vehicles, with safety as priority. All road deaths are preventable and none are acceptable.'
Globally, 10 countries reduced road deaths by 50% in the decade to 2021, and more than half of all countries reported falling fatalities in that period. Yet progress is uneven, with a 36% drop in deaths in the WHO European Region, a 15% drop in the Western Pacific Region, a 2% drop in the WHO South-East Asian Region, no change in rates in the Americas, and a 17% rise in deaths in the WHO African Region.
The declaration commits countries to implementing the 'safe system' approach, which recognizes that people will always make mistakes on the road. The approach promotes safer roads, infrastructure, vehicles, speed limits, and regulations that account for human error and ensure that crash impacts remain within survivable levels. It also calls on governments to provide leadership, take additional action, and urges the private sector to prioritize road safety throughout their supply chains. The declaration highlights the roles of civil society, academia, youth, philanthropic organizations, and the UN in driving progress.
The new UN declaration states that strengthening road safety is key to improving public health and sustainable development. More people choosing to walk, cycle, and use public transport can reduce congestion, improve air quality, create livable cities, and support healthier, longer lives.
