Global road traffic deaths have declined by 21% since 2011 despite a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles on the road, according to newly released data from the WHO. More than one billion additional motor vehicles have been added worldwide during the same period, highlighting meaningful progress in road safety while underscoring the scale of the challenge that remains. The report estimates that road traffic crashes claimed approximately 1.16 million lives in 2025 .

Road traffic injuries also continue to be the leading cause of death among children and young people aged 5 to 29 years , reinforcing their ongoing public health significance. The findings coincide with the adoption of a new United Nations General Assembly declaration on road safety. The declaration reaffirms the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 compared with 2021 levels…