Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015

This report shows that the number of road traffic deaths -- 1.25 million in 2013 -- has remained fairly constant since 2007, despite the increase in global motorization and population and the predicted rise in deaths. This suggests that interventions to improve global road safety are preventing increases that otherwise would have occurred. The report highlights that the situation is worst in low-income countries, where rates are more than double those in high-income countries and there are a disproportionate number of deaths relative to the (lower) level of motorization. The African Region and the Eastern Mediterranean Region continue to have the highest road traffic death rates, while the lowest rates are in the European Region, notably among its high-income countries, many of which have been very successful at achieving and sustaining reductions in death rates despite increasing motorization.

Changing road user behavior is a critical component of the holistic "Safe Systems" approach advocated in this report. Adopting and enforcing good laws is an effective means of changing road user behavior on key risk factors for road traffic injuries -- speed, drunk-driving, and the failure to use helmets, seat-belts and child restraints properly or at all. The report highlights that over the last 3 years, 17 countries have changed laws to bring their legislation on one or more of the five key risk factors into line with best practice.

The report further highlights the important role of safe infrastructure and safe vehicles in reducing road traffic injuries. Road infrastructure is mainly constructed with the needs of motorists in mind, although the report indicates that 49% of all road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Real, sustained successes at reducing global road traffic deaths will only happen when road design takes into consideration the needs of all road users.

With the development of the Sustainable Development Goals, road safety is receiving increased international attention, and is included in 2 of the 17 Goals of this new global agenda. This is welcomed. The evidence on what works to save lives on the roads exists: the international community, national governments and civil society now need to act on it.