New PAHO Road Safety Report Highlights Slow and Uneven Progress in Reducing Road Traffic Deaths in the Americas
January 23, 2025
Washington DC, January 22, 2025 (PAHO) – A new Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) report on road safety reveals that in 2021, road traffic crashes caused just over 145,000 deaths in the Americas, accounting for 12 percent of global deaths from this cause. Despite some progress, the rate of reduction in road traffic deaths has been slow and uneven, highlighting the urgent need for stronger and more comprehensive national policies.
The report, “Saving lives by promoting a safe road systems approach in the Americas,” is based on the most recent data available, collected from 31 countries and one territory in the region, and is the fifth edition since 2009. Due to the impact of the pandemic in 2020, the years 2010 and 2021 were compared.
According to the study, the road traffic fatality rate in the Americas decreased by 9.37% between 2010 and 2021, reflecting slow progress, with only nine countries managing to reduce deaths. At the subregional level, North America and the Caribbean saw an increase in fatality rates. In contrast, the Southern Cone and the Andean region achieved significant reductions.
“Road safety remains a major public health challenge in the region,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO. “Despite efforts made, the figures are still unacceptable. Road safety is not just an issue of infrastructure or legislation, it is a matter of life or death for millions. It is crucial that countries implement comprehensive measures to protect all road users, especially the most vulnerable. »
Disparities in deaths and most affected groups
About 37,100,000 of road traffic deaths occur in high-income countries, although these countries account for only 41,100,000 of the population, 57,100,000 of registered vehicles and 49,100,000 of the territory. In contrast, lower-middle-income countries, which account for only 5,100,000 of the population and 3,100,000 of the territory, account for 7,100,000 of deaths, although they account for only 1,100,000 of registered vehicles.
Fatal road traffic accident victims are mainly men (79,133) and young adults aged 18-44 (54,133). However, the impact is not limited to deaths. In 2021, more than 4 million people suffered non-fatal injuries in the region, including 638,620 serious and with permanent sequelae.
Vulnerable users and the challenge of motorcycles
The report also highlights the disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable road users. From 2009 to 2021, motorcyclist, pedestrian and cyclist deaths increased from 39 % to 47 % of total road deaths. In 2021, motorcyclists accounted for 27 % of deaths, pedestrians 17 % and cyclists 3 %. This trend contrasts with the slight decrease observed in the mortality of occupants of four-wheeled motor vehicles.
“The safety of motorcyclists remains an urgent priority. To reduce this type of death, it is essential to improve road infrastructure, enforce stricter laws on the use of helmets, seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol, and promote safer driving practices,” Ricardo Pérez-Núñez, regional advisor in road safety at OPS, said.
Institutional management, road infrastructure and safer vehicles
The report highlights the need to strengthen institutional management to improve road safety. Although some countries have made progress in policies and regulatory frameworks, in many cases there is still a lack of coordination and training.
Regarding infrastructure, although several countries have improved roads with measures such as pedestrian protection zones and better signage, more investment is needed, particularly in rural areas and areas with high accident incidence.
When it comes to safer vehicles, the report highlights the benefits of international standards such as electronic stability control and airbags. However, implementation of these standards is still insufficient in some countries, limiting their impact.
Safer users and post-accident response
The report also highlights the importance of reducing risky behaviours such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and mobile phone use. In addition, it calls for increasing the use of safety devices such as helmets and seat belts.
Finally, regarding post-accident response, although several countries have improved access to medical and rehabilitation services, disparities in response time and coverage persist, requiring improved emergency infrastructure.
PAHO calls on governments to adopt a comprehensive “safe systems approach” that includes improvements to road infrastructure, strengthening traffic laws and increasing vehicle safety. In addition, the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to address this public health problem is highlighted.