Road Safety Facts

The global epidemic of road crash fatalities and disabilities has been recognized as a major public health concern. The first step to being informed about global road safety and to developing effective road safety interventions is to know the facts.

Annual Global Road Crash Statistics

Approximately 1.19 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. Approximately 3,200 die every day.
Road crashes are a leading cause of nonnatural death for U.S. citizens residing or traveling abroad, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years.
Two thirds of road traffic fatalities occur among people aged 18–59 years.
Fifty-three per cent of all road traffic fatalities are vulnerable road users including: pedestrians (23%); riders of powered two- and three-wheelers such as motorcycles (21%); cyclists (6%); and users of micro-mobility devices including e-scooters (3%).
The risk of death is 3 times higher in low-income countries versus high-income countries, yet low-income countries have less than 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.
Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.

Source: 2023 UN Global Road Safety Status Report, except where otherwise noted.

Global Road Crash Statistics by Region

28% of global road traffic deaths in the South-East Asia Region
25% in the Western Pacific Region
19% in the African Region
12% in the Region of the Americas
11% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and
5% in the European Region.

Global Road Crash Deaths by User

More than half of all road traffic fatalities are vulnerable road users including:

23% Pedestrians
21% Riders of powered two- and three-wheelers such as motorcycles
6% Cyclists
3% Users of micro-mobility devices including e-scooters

Annual United States Road Crash Statistics

An estimated 40,990 lives were lost in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2023. This marks a 3.6% decline from 2022, but compared to pre-pandemic 2019 fatalities, it’s a 12.7% spike.
Estimates for 2023 indicate a decrease in fatalities in 35 states, while 15 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, are projected to have increases.
In 2022, there were 12,151 speeding-related traffic fatalities, which represents a 2.8% decrease from 2021. Twenty-nine percent of all those killed on the roads in 2022 were involved in speeding-related crashes.
In 2022, 7,422 pedestrians died on U.S. roads, the highest since 1981.
In 2022, 1,105 pedalcyclists were killed (pedalcycles are motorized and non-motorized tricycles, bicycles, and unicycles that have pedals)
In 2022 there were 13,524 fatalities in crashes in which at least one driver was alcohol-impaired Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased by 0.7% from 2021 to 2022, accounting for 32% of overall traffic fatalities in 2022.
Fatalities decreased 0.3% on rural roads and decreased 2.8% from 2021-2022.
The United States is 47th in terms of pedestrian fatalities in a list of 54 industrialized countries, according to the World Health Organization.
The U.S. death rate for pedestrians in car/truck crashes is more than 600% higher than the safest countries, including Norway and Singapore.
The most recent estimate of the annual economic cost of crashes is $340 billion. .

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except where otherwise noted

Road Crashes Are Predictable and Preventable

Many factors contribute to road crashes and resulting deaths and severity of injuries. By understanding these factors and through planning, management, and evidence-based interventions, road crashes can be predicted and prevented. Access to accurate and updated information about current road situations enables pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, drivers, and passengers to make informed road safety decisions.