The <link https: www.who.int violence_injury_prevention road_safety_status en _blank external-link-new-window global status report on road safety>Global status report on road safety 2018, launched by WHO in December 2018, highlights that the number of annual road traffic deaths has reached 1.35 million. Road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of people aged 5-29 years. The burden is disproportionately borne by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, in particular those living in developing countries. Drastic action is needed to meet any future global target that might be set and save lives.

In the settings where progress has been made, it is largely attributed to better legislation around key risks such as speeding, drinking and driving, and failing to use seat-belts, motorcycle helmets and child restraints; safer infrastructure like sidewalks and dedicated lanes for cyclists and  motorcyclists; improved vehicle standards such as those that mandate electronic stability control and advanced braking; and enhanced post-crash care.

The report documents that these measures have contributed to reductions in road traffic deaths in 48 middle- and high-income countries. However, not a single low-income country has demonstrated a reduction in overall deaths, in large part because these measures are lacking.

The animated world map translates the results impressively graphically and provides information about laws, safety measures and road deaths by type of road user.

<link https: extranet.who.int roadsafety death-on-the-roads external-link-new-window map: death on the>To the World Map