Traffic crashes remain top killer of youth
Global road injury and death rates each fell more than 30% between 1990 and 2023, according to a study published Monday in Lancet Public Health. The study noted that the progress varied from country to country.
The World Health Organization released its own data Monday, finding that road traffic deaths declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025. Still, traffic crashes claimed more than 1.1 million lives last year, the WHO said, and they remain the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5 to 29.
Over the 33-year period studied, pedestrian and vehicle occupant deaths rose in six countries — including the United States, the Lancet analysis found. However, more recent data show road deaths fell in the U.S. in 2024 and 2025.
Road deaths include fatal injuries to pedestrians, cyclists and people riding in cars, trucks and other vehicles. The researchers noted that complete data is lacking in some countries and based their findings on estimates using available information.