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category: literaturenote
citekey: roadsafetyannualreport
title: Road Safety Annual Report 2024
authors: ""
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collections: doktoritöö / HLO
folder: 001_artiklid/Road Safety Indicators
status: converted
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# **Road Safety** Annual Report 2024

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# **Road Safety** Annual Report 2024

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### **About this publication**

this is indicated. Additional information on individual countries is provided

Cite this work as: ITF (2024), *Road Safety Annual Report 2024*, OECD Publishing, Paris.

## **About the International Transport Forum**

The International Transport Forum (ITF) is an intergovernmental organisation with 69 member countries that organises global dialogue for better transport. It acts as a think tank for transport policy and hosts the Annual Summit of transport ministers. The ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politically

#### **International Transport Forum**

2 rue André Pascal F‑75775 Paris Cedex 16 [contact@itf-oecd.org](mailto:contact%40itf-oecd.org?subject=) [www.itf-oecd.org](https://www.itf-oecd.org)

### **About IRTAD**

### **About the IRTAD Database**

The IRTAD Database includes road safety data, aggregated by country and year from 1970 onwards. It provides an empirical basis for international comparisons and more effective road safety policies.

The IRTAD Group validates data for quality before inclusion in the database. At present, the database includes validated data from 35 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The data in this report are valid as of 3 December 2024. The data are provided in a common format based on definitions developed and agreed by the IRTAD Group.

| Contents | Foreword                                                        | 8  |
|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|----|
|          | Preface                                                         | 9  |
|          | Short‑term road safety trends                                   | 10 |
|          | Preliminary 2024 road deaths data                               | 10 |
|          | Mobility and road safety in 2023                                | 12 |
|          | Traffic volumes in 2023                                         | 12 |
|          | Road deaths in 2023                                             | 14 |
|          | Mortality rates and fatality risks in 2023                      | 26 |
|          | Longer‑term road safety trends                                  | 30 |
|          | Monitoring the Second Decade of Action<br>for Road Safety       | 30 |
|          | Evolution in the number of<br>road deaths, 2013‑23              | 32 |
|          | Road deaths by user group                                       | 48 |
|          | Road deaths by age group                                        | 53 |
|          | Road deaths by road type                                        | 54 |
|          | National road safety strategies                                 | 55 |
|          | Definitions                                                     | 56 |
|          | Data tables                                                     | 57 |
|          | Annex. Road safety strategies and<br>targets in IRTAD countries | 66 |
|          | Acknowledgements                                                | 76 |
|          | IRTAD members                                                   | 77 |

#### **Figures**

17 [Figure 1:](#page-16-0)

[Evolution in road deaths by user category,](#page-16-0)  [2023 compared to 2022](#page-16-0)

19 [Figure 2:](#page-18-0)

[Evolution in road deaths by age group,](#page-18-0)  [2023 compared to 2022](#page-18-0)

20 [Figure 3:](#page-19-0)

[Mortality rate by age group, 2023](#page-19-0)

24 [Figure 4:](#page-23-0)

[Road deaths by road type, 2023](#page-23-0)

25 [Figure 5:](#page-24-0) [Evolution in road deaths by road type,](#page-24-0) 

[2023 compared to 2022](#page-24-0)

27 [Figure 6:](#page-26-0) [Road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants,](#page-26-0) 

[2023](#page-26-0) 28 [Figure 7:](#page-27-0)

[Road fatalities per 10](#page-27-0) 000 [registered motor vehicles, 2023](#page-27-0)

29 [Figure 8:](#page-28-0)

[Road fatalities per billion](#page-28-0)  [vehicle‑kilometres, 2023 \(or 2022\)](#page-28-0)

31 [Figure 9:](#page-30-0)

[Percentage change in the number](#page-30-0)  [of road deaths, 2023 compared](#page-30-0)  [to the average 2017-19](#page-30-0)

33 [Figure 10:](#page-32-0)

[Aggregate evolution in the number of road](#page-32-0)  [deaths in IRTAD countries, 2013-2023](#page-32-0)

35 [Figure 11:](#page-34-0)

[Percentage change in the number of](#page-34-0)  [road deaths, 2023 compared to 2013](#page-34-0)

38 [Figure 12:](#page-37-0)

[Road deaths compared to the linear trend](#page-37-0)  [since 2013 \(excluding 2020 and 2021\)](#page-37-0)

43 [Figure 13:](#page-42-0)

[Mortality rate by country, 2013-23](#page-42-0)

48 [Figure 14:](#page-47-0) [Evolution in road deaths by user category,](#page-47-0) 

49 [Figure 15:](#page-48-0)

[2023 compared to 2013](#page-47-0)

[Percentage change in the number](#page-48-0)  [of passenger car occupants killed,](#page-48-0) 

[2023 compared to 2013](#page-48-0)

50 [Figure 16:](#page-49-0)

[Percentage change in the number of](#page-49-0)  [pedestrians killed, 2023 compared to 2013](#page-49-0)

51 [Figure 17:](#page-50-0) [Percentage change in the number of](#page-50-0)  [cyclists killed, 2023 compared to 2013](#page-50-0)

52 [Figure 18:](#page-51-0) [Percentage change in the number of](#page-51-0) 

[PTW killed, 2023 compared to 2013](#page-51-0)

53 [Figure 19:](#page-52-0) [Evolution in road mortality rate by](#page-52-0)  [age group, 2023 compared to 2013](#page-52-0)

54 [Figure 20:](#page-53-0)

[Evolution in road deaths by road type,](#page-53-0)  [2023 compared to 2013](#page-53-0)

#### **Tables**

11 [Table 1:](#page-10-0)

[Road deaths, first half of](#page-10-0)  2022‑2024 [Preliminary data](#page-10-0)

13 [Table 2:](#page-12-0) [Traffic volumes in 2017-23](#page-12-0)  [\(millions vehicle-kilometres\)](#page-12-0)

15 [Table 3:](#page-14-0)

[2023 Road fatality data compared to 2022](#page-14-0)

36 [Table 4:](#page-35-0)

[Road fatality trends, 2013-23](#page-35-0)

58 [Table 5:](#page-57-0)

[National speed limits on urban roads,](#page-57-0)  [rural roads and motorways, 2024](#page-57-0)

60 [Table 6:](#page--1-0)

[Maximum authorised blood alcohol](#page--1-0)  [content levels, 2024, by country](#page-59-0)

62 [Table 7:](#page-61-0)

[Seat-belt laws and wearing rates in](#page-61-0)  [front and rear seats of passenger](#page-61-0)  [cars, 2023 or latest available year](#page-61-0)

64 [Table 8:](#page-63-0)

[Helmet laws and wearing rates,](#page-63-0)  [2023 or latest available year](#page-63-0)

67 [Table A1:](#page-66-0)

[Road safety strategies in IRTAD countries](#page-66-0)

72 [Table A2:](#page-71-0)

[Targets on road deaths and serious](#page-71-0)  [injuries in IRTAD countries](#page-71-0)

#### **Boxes**

26 [Box 1](#page-25-0)

[Measuring risk and comparing countries](#page-25-0)

### <span id="page-7-0"></span>**Foreword**

I am pleased to present the ITF Road Safety Annual Report 2024, which offers the latest road safety data, including preliminary data for the first semester of 2024, as well as a detailed analysis of the road safety developments in 2023. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the Members of the IRTAD Group for their work and dedication, which, under the leadership of their Chair, Dominique Mignot, makes the preparation of this report possible each year.

2025 will be a pivotal year for road safety, marking the mid‑term of the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety. The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, being held in ITF member country Morocco from 18 to 20 February 2025, will provide an opportunity to review progress made so far. It is also expected to inspire renewed commitments from policy makers worldwide, setting the stage for more concrete actions during the second half of the decade to achieve the ambition of halving fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

Meeting this goal is challenging: only seven IRTAD countries are currently on track. Nevertheless, all countries must persevere with their efforts, using data and evidence to prioritise road safety on the political agenda.

High quality data remains an essential tool for effective policymaking. The IRTAD Group's work in this domain serves as a model for many countries. Through their year‑round collaboration, the IRTAD Group continues to lead the way on these critical issues. I extend my sincere gratitude to its members for leading progress in road safety data.

**Young Tae Kim, ITF Secretary‑General**

### <span id="page-8-0"></span>**Preface**

As Chair of the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD), I am pleased to present the Road Safety Annual Report 2024, reflecting both progress and challenges in our efforts to save lives on the roads.

2023 has brought a small but encouraging reduction in road deaths, with preliminary data for 2024 showing further positive signs in some countries. However, we must acknowledge the considerable journey ahead to achieve the global target of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

The IRTAD Group has been very active in 2024, with a varied programme of work. Throughout the year and during our two annual meetings, the Group has engaged in dynamic exchanges and discussions on key and emerging topics in road safety data collection and analysis, including:

- The role of artificial intelligence in bringing new perspectives on road safety and mobility data and their analysis.
- The challenges and opportunities presented by new mobility trends, including e‑scooters.
- The growing popularity of cycling and its implications for infrastructure and safety.
- The evolution and electrification of the vehicle fleet.

Two sub‑groups are also progressing in‑depth exploration on:

- The Harmonisation of Road Safety Data Sub‑group reviews differences in national definitions related to casualty data.
- The Serious Injury Data Sub‑group, run in co‑operation with the World Health Organization (WHO), has advanced efforts to support countries in collecting and analysing MAIS3+ data while exploring alternative methods to estimate the number of people seriously injured on the roads.

I am deeply grateful to the IRTAD members for their commitment and enthusiasm.

The IRTAD Group regularly organises meetings for the Secretariats of Regional Road Safety Observatories, fostering exchange of ideas and exploring synergies across various programmes of work.

The coming year will introduce new priorities, including a focus on work‑related road safety and the role of employers. This aligns with the ongoing ITF/WHO initiative to develop a Global Road Safety Assessment Framework for Corporate Reporting and Action; a timely and crucial step towards broader engagement in road safety.

The ITF will release its Safe System Tool; a web‑based tool developed with the contributions of many IRTAD members. This tool will provide guidance to countries, cities, the private sector and project managers in developing their Safe System journey and assist them in making progress.

Road safety data will also be an important topic for discussion at the forthcoming Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, in February 2025. Several of our members will attend this important event.

I hope this report helps to save more lives.

**Dominique MIGNOT, Chair, IRTAD Group**

## <span id="page-9-0"></span>**Short‑term road safety trends**

### **Preliminary 2024 road deaths data**

This section presents data on short-term trends in road safety. It includes preliminary data for 2024 and mobility and road safety data for 2023.

Preliminary data for the first half of 2024, which covers 26 countries, show an improvement compared to the same period in 2023. Road fatalities decreased in 16 countries, while increasing in ten. On average, road deaths across these countries declined by 2% (see Table 1).

In the first semester of 2024, the number of road deaths decreased in Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and the United States. It increased in France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Korea, Norway, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

Road deaths decreased by 2% in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023.

<span id="page-10-0"></span>**Road deaths, first half of 2022‑2024** Preliminary data

| Country       | 2022   | 2023   | 2024   | Evolution in<br>2024 compared<br>to 2022 | Evolution in<br>2024 compared<br>to 2023 |
|---------------|--------|--------|--------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Austria       | 191    | 179    | 138    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Belgium       | 289    | 226    | 198    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Chile         | 950    | 909    | 876    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Colombia      | 3 822  | 4 003  | 3 925  | +                                        | -                                        |
| Czechia       | 252    | 238    | 232    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Denmark       | 64     | 77     | 62     | -                                        | -                                        |
| Finland       | 85     | 83     | 76     | -                                        | -                                        |
| France        | 1 536  | 1 393  | 1 506  | -                                        | +                                        |
| Germany       | 1 271  | 1 303  | 1 258  | -                                        | -                                        |
| Great Britain | 835    | 756    | 736    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Greece        | 288    | 297    | 284    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Hungary       | 233    | 210    | 215    | -                                        | +                                        |
| Iceland       | 4      | 1      | 11     | +                                        | +                                        |
| Ireland       | 76     | 83     | 91     | +                                        | +                                        |
| Israel        | 181    | 191    | 233    | +                                        | +                                        |
| Japan         | 1 422  | 1 446  | 1 425  | +                                        | -                                        |
| Korea         | 1 219  | 1 145  | 1 170  | -                                        | +                                        |
| Luxembourg    | 13     | 13     | 9      | -                                        | -                                        |
| Norway        | 54     | 46     | 51     | -                                        | +                                        |
| Poland        | 893    | 815    | 896    | +                                        | +                                        |
| Portugal      | 280    | 309    | 238    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Serbia        | 240    | 220    | 214    | -                                        | -                                        |
| Slovenia      | 51     | 38     | 27     | -                                        | -                                        |
| Spain         | 805    | 823    |        | -                                        | +                                        |
| Switzerland   | 119    | 99     | 116    | -                                        | +                                        |
| United States | 19 965 | 19 330 | 18 720 | -                                        | -                                        |

**<sup>-</sup>** indicates a decrease **+** indicates an increase

### <span id="page-11-0"></span>**Mobility and road safety in 2023**

This section presents data on mobility and road safety in 2023, covering traffic volumes, road deaths, mortality rates and fatality risks.

### **Traffic volumes in 2023**

This report expresses the traffic volume in individual countries as the total distance travelled in vehicle‑kilometres (vkm).

In 2023, traffic volumes, measured in millions of vkm, remained below 2017‑19 levels, before the Covid‑19 pandemic (see Table 2). This was the case for eight of the 13 countries with data on traffic volumes for 2023: Great Britain, Finland, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden and Norway. On average, traffic volumes in 2023 for the 13 countries were 0.5% below the level of 2017‑19.

This trend can be explained by changes in mobility behaviour, such as the generalisation of teleworking and the increasing share of cycling and personal mobility devices.

Nevertheless, the distance travelled in 2023 increased compared to 2022. Traffic levels in 2023 exceeded 2022 levels, except in France and Ireland.

Traffic volumes in 2023 had not returned to pre‑Covid levels, reflecting changes in mobility behaviour.

<span id="page-12-0"></span>**Traffic volumes in 2017-23 (millions vehicle-kilometres)**

| Country       | Average<br>2017-19 | 2020    | 2021    | 2022    | 2023    | % change<br>in 2023<br>compared<br>to av.<br>2017-19 | % change<br>in 2023<br>compared<br>to 2020 | % change<br>in 2023<br>compared<br>to 2022 |
|---------------|--------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Canada        | 399 148            | 378 046 | 409 920 | 414 889 | 417 000 | 4.5                                                  | 10.3                                       | 0.5                                        |
| Czechia       | 56 240             | 52 280  | 53 742  | 58 818  | 60 369  | 7.3                                                  | 15.5                                       | 2.6                                        |
| Denmark       | 54 540             | 51 527  | 53 538  | 54 913  | 55 591  | 1.9                                                  | 7.9                                        | 1.2                                        |
| Finland       | 50 349             | 48 543  | 48 305  | 47 695  | 47 755  | -5.2                                                 | -1.6                                       | 0.1                                        |
| France        | 626 908            | 517 938 | 567 461 | 614 318 | 604 354 | -3.6                                                 | 16.7                                       | -1.6                                       |
| Great Britain | 539 298            | 427 914 | 478 874 | 520 908 | 532 365 | -1.3                                                 | 24.4                                       | 2.2                                        |
| Iceland       | 3 981              | 3 800   | 3 942   | 4 010   | 4 032   | 1.3                                                  | 6.1                                        | 0.5                                        |
| Ireland       | 47 790             | 36 237  | 41 878  | 47 604  | 47 296  | -1.0                                                 | 30.5                                       | -0.6                                       |
| Israel        | 61 330             | 55 121  | 64 001  | 65 839  | 65 876  | 7.4                                                  | 19.5                                       | 0.1                                        |
| Netherlands   | 135 577            | 117 853 | 123 989 | 130 226 | 134 636 | -0.7                                                 | 14.2                                       | 3.4                                        |
| Norway        | 45 836             | 43 406  | 44 968  | 45 404  | 45 699  | -0.3                                                 | 5.3                                        | 0.7                                        |
| Slovenia      | 21 903             | 17 612  | 19 449  | 20 508  | 21 269  | -2.9                                                 | 20.8                                       | 3.7                                        |
| Sweden        | 84 035             | 77 813  | 80 139  | 81 872  | 82 059  | -2.4                                                 | 5.5                                        | 0.2                                        |

### <span id="page-13-0"></span>**Road deaths in 2023**

On average, road deaths decreased by 2.7% in 2023 compared to 2022 across the 34 IRTAD countries with validated data. As the most populous country in the analysis, the United States had a significant statistical influence on the overall result, recording a notable decrease of 3.6%, which represents over 1 500 lives saved. Excluding the United States, the overall reduction in road deaths for 2023 is slightly smaller, at 1.8%.

In 2023, there were 2 338 less road deaths than in 2022.

#### **Short-term evolution by country**

The data on individual countries presents a varied picture of road safety. Among the 34 IRTAD countries, 21 reported a reduction in road fatalities in 2023 compared to 2022. In four of these countries, the decrease exceeded 10% (see Table 3). The most notable reductions were in Luxembourg (-27.8%, albeit based on small absolute numbers), Finland (-11.7%), Hungary (-11.2%), and Iceland (from 9 deaths to 8). As mentioned above, the number of road deaths decreased by 3.6% decrease in the United States, meaning more than 1500 less deaths than in 2022.

Thirteen countries experienced an increase in road fatalities in 2023 compared to 2022. Among them, two recorded a sharp rise of over 20%: Ireland (+20.3%) and Lithuania (+33.3%).

In Ireland and Lithuania, road deaths increased by over 20% in 2023.

#### <span id="page-14-0"></span>**2023 Road fatality data compared to 2022**

| Country                               | 2023 road deaths | Data status | 2022 road deaths | % change |
|---------------------------------------|------------------|-------------|------------------|----------|
| Countries with validated data         |                  |             |                  |          |
| Argentina                             | 4 403            | provisional | 4 712            | -6.6     |
| Australia                             |                  |             | 1 111            |          |
| Austria                               | 402              | final       | 370              | 8.6      |
| Belgium                               | 501              | final       | 540              | -7.2     |
| Canada                                | 1 936            | provisional | 1 934            | 0.1      |
| Chile                                 | 1 997            | final       | 2 137            | -6.6     |
| Colombia                              | 8 246            | final       | 8 146            | 1.2      |
| Costa Rica                            | 875              | provisional | 835              | 4.8      |
| Czechia                               | 502              | final       | 527              | -4.7     |
| Denmark                               | 162              | final       | 154              | 5.2      |
| Finland                               | 173              | provisional | 196              | -11.7    |
| France                                | 3 167            | final       | 3 267            | -3.1     |
| Germany                               | 2 839            | final       | 2 788            | 1.8      |
| Greece                                | 634              | provisional | 654              | -3.1     |
| Hungary                               | 475              | final       | 535              | -11.2    |
| Iceland                               | 8                | final       | 9                | -11.1    |
| Ireland                               | 184              | provisional | 153              | 20.3     |
| Israel                                | 361              | final       | 351              | 2.8      |
| Italy                                 | 3 039            | final       | 3 159            | -3.8     |
| Japan                                 | 3 263            | final       | 3 216            | 1.5      |
| Korea                                 | 2 551            | final       | 2 735            | -6.7     |
| Lithuania                             | 160              | final       | 120              | 33.3     |
| Luxembourg                            | 26               | final       | 36               | -27.8    |
| Netherlands (a)                       | 684              | final       | 745              | -8.2     |
| New Zealand                           | 341              | provisional | 372              | -8.3     |
| Norway                                | 110              | final       | 116              | -5.2     |
| Poland                                | 1 893            | final       | 1 896            | -0.2     |
| Portugal                              | 642              | provisional | 618              | 3.9      |
| Serbia                                | 503              | final       | 553              | -9.0     |
| Slovenia                              | 82               | final       | 85               | -3.5     |
| Spain                                 | 1 806            | final       | 1 746            | 3.4      |
| Sweden                                | 229              | final       | 227              | 0.9      |
| Switzerland                           | 236              | final       | 241              | -2.1     |
| United Kingdom                        | 1 695            | final       | 1 766            | -4.0     |
| United States                         | 40 990           | provisional | 42 514           | -3.6     |
| Observers and accession countries (b) |                  |             |                  |          |
| Mexico                                | 16 662           | provisional | 15 986           | 4.2      |
| Morocco                               | 3 819            | final       | 3 499            | 9.1      |
| Uruguay                               | 422              | final       | 431              | -2.1     |

<sup>(</sup>a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers reported by the police).

<sup>(</sup>b) Data as provided by the countries and not validated by IRTAD.

#### **Short‑term evolution by user group**

Data on road user groups are available for 30 countries (see Figure 1). While these 30 countries collectively recorded an overall decline of 2% in road deaths in 2023 compared to 2022, all user categories saw reductions in fatalities, except for users of powered two‑wheelers (PTW), which saw a slight increase (+0.2%). This trend echoes the situation in 2022, when road deaths also decreased for all user categories except powered two‑wheeler users.

Road deaths decreased for all user groups in 2023, except for powered two‑wheeler users.

<span id="page-16-0"></span>

![](_page_16_Figure_1.jpeg)

Note: Data include Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

#### **Short‑term evolution by age group**

Disaggregated data by age group are available for 28 countries (see Figure 2). On average, in these 28 countries, the number of road deaths increased sharply for teenagers aged 15 to 17 (15%), while overall road fatalities decreased by 1.4%. This increase in fatalities among teenagers was observed in 17 out of the 28 countries.

Road deaths increased by 15% among teenagers aged 15 to 17.

<span id="page-18-0"></span>**Evolution in road deaths by age group, 2023 compared to 2022**

![](_page_18_Figure_1.jpeg)

Note: Data include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

<span id="page-19-0"></span>In most countries, young people aged 18 to 24 are the most at risk in road traffic (see Figure 3).

While older citizens – aged 75 – and above - were the most at risk in recent years, our 2023 analysis reveals young people now have the highest mortality rate, as was the case for many years. Mortality rates for those aged 18‑24 are the highest of any age group in 19 of the 27 countries with data. In contrast, the mortality rate is the highest for those aged 75 and older in only six countries: Denmark, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. This marks a significant shift from 2022, when nearly two‑thirds of countries reported higher mortality rates for this older age group.

Further analysis is needed to understand the factors behind this shift, which may be related to changes in mobility patterns or riskier behaviour among young people.

Young people are the most at risk in traffic.

#### **Mortality rate by age group, 2023**

Age group Total

![](_page_19_Figure_6.jpeg)

![](_page_19_Figure_7.jpeg)

![](_page_19_Figure_8.jpeg)

![](_page_19_Figure_9.jpeg)

![](_page_20_Figure_0.jpeg)

![](_page_21_Figure_0.jpeg)

(a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers reported by the police).

![](_page_22_Figure_0.jpeg)

0-17 18-24 25-64 65-74 75+

0-17 18-24 25-64 65-74 75+

#### <span id="page-23-0"></span>**Short‑term evolution by road type**

Data disaggregated by road type are available for 24 countries in 2023 (see Figure 4). Rural roads are the deadliest roads in almost all countries. In 18 countries, more than half of the road deaths occurred on rural roads. In Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden and Spain, rural roads accounted for more than two‑thirds of road deaths in 2023. Urban roads are deadlier than other road types only in Japan, Korea, the Netherlands and Serbia.

The primary reasons for the high risk on rural roads stem from inadequate road infrastructure and inappropriate and excessive speeds. These roads often lack physical separation of lanes, have numerous intersections and are sometimes poorly maintained. In addition, drivers frequently exceed the speed limits on rural roads, largely due to limited enforcement.

Rural roads are the deadliest road type.

**Road deaths by road type, 2023**

![](_page_23_Figure_5.jpeg)

<span id="page-24-0"></span>In 2023, for the 23 countries with available data, road fatalities decreased by 2.7% compared to 2022 (see Figure 5). The most significant decline was observed in fatalities on motorways, which dropped by 8.7%. Meanwhile, the number of road deaths on urban and rural roads fell by 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively.

**Evolution in road deaths by road type, 2023 compared to 2022**

![](_page_24_Figure_2.jpeg)

Note: Data include Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

### <span id="page-25-0"></span>**Mortality rates and fatality risks in 2023**

Three common indicators are used to measure road safety performance and compare safety levels across countries: 1) the number of road deaths per head of population, 2) the number of road deaths per motorised vehicle, and 3) the number of road deaths by distance travelled (see Box 1).

In 2023, the road mortality rate among IRTAD countries with validated data ranged from 2 to 17 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants (see Figure 6). Norway recorded the lowest mortality rate, with just 2 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants. This marked the ninth consecutive year that Norway achieved the lowest mortality rate among IRTAD countries, except in 2019 when Iceland, with 6 road deaths, had a mortality rate of 1.7.

Seven countries recorded a per capita mortality rate below 3 in 2023.

#### **Measuring risk and comparing countries**

Three common indicators measure road safety performance and allow to compare safety levels across countries. Each has pros and cons; in all cases, interpret country comparisons with great care, especially between countries with different levels of motorisation.

First, the number of **fatalities per head of population** measures the mortality rate. The number of inhabitants (per 100 000 or million) is the most often‑used denominator as this figure is readily available in most countries. This rate expresses the average citizen's overall risk of being killed in traffic, and allows for comparison with other causes of death (e.g. coronary diseases or HIV/ AIDS). Using the fatalities per head indicator is useful when comparing risk between countries with similar

levels of motorisation. This measure loses its meaning when comparing highly motorised countries with countries where the level of motorisation is low.

Second, the number of **fatalities per number of registered motorised vehicles** is an alternative to measuring fatalities per distance travelled, although it does not consider actual traffic volume. It is only useful for comparing the safety performance of countries with similar traffic and vehicle‑use characteristics. It also requires reliable statistics on the number of vehicles. In some countries, scrapped vehicles are not systematically removed from registration databases, undermining the accuracy of this indicator. Moreover, this indicator does not consider non‑motorised vehicles

(e.g. bicycles), which represent a large part of the vehicle fleet (and fatality figures) in some countries. This indicator is usually expressed as the number of fatalities per 10 000 registered motorised vehicles.

Third, the number of **fatalities per distance travelled by motorised vehicles** measures fatality risk. This indicator describes the safety quality of road traffic. Theoretically, it is the best indicator to assess the level of risk of the road network. However, it does not take into account non‑motorised vehicles (e.g. bicycles) which represent a large part of the vehicle fleet and of road fatalities in some countries. Furthermore, only a limited number of countries collect data on distance travelled. Fatality risk is usually expressed in road deaths per billion vehicle-kilometres.

<span id="page-26-0"></span>In 2023, seven countries reported a mortality rate below 3 per 100 000 inhabitants: Norway, Iceland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland and Denmark. A total of 24 IRTAD countries had a mortality rate between 3 and 10, while three countries reported rates exceeding 10 per 100 000 inhabitants: the United States, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

![](_page_26_Figure_1.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

<span id="page-27-0"></span>Fatality rates, measured against the number of motorised vehicles, ranged from 0.2 to 4.4 deaths per 10 000 motorised vehicles (see Figure 7) in 2023. Fourteen countries registered a fatality rate of less than 0.5. The fatality risk per 10 000 motor vehicles was highest in Costa Rica, Chile and Colombia with a rate of 3.1, 3.1 and 4.4.

Fourteen countries recorded a mortality rate per registered motor vehicle below 0.5.

![](_page_27_Figure_2.jpeg)

![](_page_27_Figure_3.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police). (b) Mopeds are not included in the registered vehicles.

<span id="page-28-0"></span>The fatality risk calculated by distance travelled is available for 22 countries in 2023. In 2023, the fatality risk ranged from 2 to 10.9 fatalities per billion vehicle‑kilometres (see Figure 9).

Four countries reported less than 3 deaths per billion vehicle‑kilometres: Iceland (2.0), Norway (2.4), Sweden (2.8), and Denmark (2.8). Two countries registered more than 8 deaths per billion vkm: Korea (8.1) and Czechia (8.3). Four countries recorded a mortality rate per billion vehicle‑kilometres below 3.

#### **Road fatalities per billion vehicle‑kilometres, 2023 (or 2022)**

![](_page_28_Figure_5.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

- (b) Data only for Great Britain.
- (c) 2022 data.

### <span id="page-29-0"></span>**Longer‑term road safety trends**

### **Monitoring the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety**

This section presents current progress towards the main target of the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety. It also discusses the longer‑term evolution of specific road safety indicators for the 2013‑23 period. Data included in this section pertains to the total number of road deaths; and data disaggregated by user group, age group and road type. The IRTAD database also covers serious injuries. Details are provided in the accompanying country profiles.

The Second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021‑2030) was adopted in August 2020 by the United Nations General Assembly (Resolution A/ RES/74/299). This Resolution set the ambitious target of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.

Figure 9 shows how IRTAD countries are progressing toward this target, using the average of road traffic deaths from 2017‑2019 as the baseline. To meet the target, an average annual reduction of 6.7% in road traffic deaths is needed. By 2023, road traffic deaths should have decreased by 18.8% from the baseline to remain on track for the 50% reduction by 2030. Seven IRTAD countries are currently on track: Iceland, Poland, Korea, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Belgium, and Czechia. However, most countries are currently not on track to reach the target.

The resolution also calls for a 50% reduction in serious injuries. Since data on serious injuries are still not fully comparable across countries, these are not included in this report. However, when available, data on serious injuries are presented in the respective IRTAD country chapters.

Only seven IRTAD countries are currently on track to reach the UN target to halve the number of road deaths by 2030.

<span id="page-30-0"></span>**Percentage change in the number of road deaths, 2023 compared to the average 2017-19** Iceland Poland Korea Finland Hungary Japan Belgium Czechia Argentina Slovenia Sweden Lithuania Denmark Germany Greece Serbia Italy United Kingdom New Zealand Luxembourg France Austria Portugal Spain Chile Norway Canada Netherlands (a) Switzerland Ireland 30% 20% 10% 0% -10% -20% -30% -40%

Actual percentage change Target percentage change

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

## <span id="page-31-0"></span>**Evolution in the number of road deaths, 2013‑23**

To analyse the performance of IRTAD countries over a longer period, this report examines the trends between 2013 and 2023.

Over the last decade, road traffic deaths increased by 1.9% across the 34 countries with validated data. However, when excluding data from the United States, road deaths decreased by 12.8%. In 2023, road traffic deaths decreased below pre‑COVID‑19 levels.

Figure 10 illustrates the evolution of road traffic deaths from 2013 to 2023, both with and without data from the United States.

If US data are excluded, overall road deaths in IRTAD countries fell by 12.8%.

<span id="page-32-0"></span>

#### **Aggregate evolution in the number of road deaths in IRTAD countries, 2013-2023**

#### **Number of road deaths**

![](_page_32_Figure_3.jpeg)

#### **Number of road deaths (excluding the US)**

![](_page_32_Figure_5.jpeg)

Note: Data for Costa Rica in 2015 and 2016 are an estimate. Australia is not included.

Between 2013 and 2023, road deaths decreased in 26 of the 34 IRTAD countries (see Figure 11 and Table 5). The largest reductions in road fatalities were observed in Korea (-49.9%), Iceland (-46.7% from 15 to 8 road deaths), Poland (-43.6%), Luxembourg (-42.2%) and Norway (-41.1%). Additionally, five other countries recorded a reduction of more than 30% in 2023 compared to 2013: Lithuania (-38%), Japan (-36.8%), Belgium (-34.4%); Slovenia (-34.4%) and Finland (-32.9%).

Road deaths increased in eight IRTAD countries and by more than 20% in five countries: Colombia (43.2%), Costa Rica (40%), New Zealand (34.8%), the United States (24.6%) and the Netherlands (20%).

In Korea, the number of road deaths halved.

<span id="page-34-0"></span>**Percentage change in the number of road deaths, 2023 compared to 2013** Korea Iceland Poland Luxembourg Norway Lithuania Japan Belgium Slovenia Finland Greece Czechia Serbia Argentina Hungary Denmark Germany Switzerland Sweden Austria Italy United Kingdom Portugal Spain Netherlands (a) New Zealand 60% 40% 20% 0% -20% -40% -60%

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

#### <span id="page-35-0"></span>Road fatality trends, 2013-23

| Country               | 2013         | 2014         | 2015         | 2016         | 2017   | 2018         | 2019   |
|-----------------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------------|--------|--------------|--------|
| Countries with valida | ated data    |              |              |              |        |              |        |
| Argentina             | 5 537        | 4 809        | 4 934        | 5 582        | 5 611  | 5 493        | 4 898  |
| Australia             | 1 185        | 1 151        | 1 205        | 1 295        | 1 223  | 1 135        | 1 187  |
| Austria               | 455          | 430          | 479          | 432          | 414    | 409          | 416    |
| Belgium               | 764          | 745          | 762          | 670          | 609    | 604          | 644    |
| Canada                | 1 951        | 1 841        | 1 887        | 1 900        | 1 861  | 1 939        | 1 756  |
| Chile                 | 2 103        | 2 116        | 2 136        | 2 178        | 1 925  | 1 955        | 1 973  |
| Colombia              | 5 757        | 6 118        | 6 406        | 6 936        | 6 505  | 6 629        | 6 577  |
| Costa Rica            | 625          | 662          |              |              | 862    | 811          | 787    |
| Czechia               | 654          | 688          | 734          | 611          | 577    | 658          | 617    |
| Denmark               | 191          | 182          | 178          | 211          | 175    | 171          | 199    |
| Finland               | 258          | 229          | 270          | 258          | 238    | 239          | 211    |
| France                | 3 268        | 3 384        | 3 461        | 3 477        | 3 448  | 3 248        | 3 244  |
| Germany               | 3 339        | 3 377        | 3 459        | 3 206        | 3 180  | 3 275        | 3 046  |
| Greece                | 879          | 795          | 793          | 824          | 731    | 700          | 688    |
| Hungary               | 591          | 626          | 644          | 607          | 625    | 633          | 602    |
| Iceland               | 15           | 4            | 16           | 18           | 16     | 18           | 6      |
| Ireland               | 188          | 192          | 162          | 182          | 154    | 134          | 140    |
| Israel                | 309          | 319          | 356          | 377          | 364    | 316          | 355    |
| Italy                 | 3 401        | 3 381        | 3 428        | 3 283        | 3 378  | 3 334        | 3 173  |
| Japan                 | 5 165        | 4 838        | 4 885        | 4 698        | 4 431  | 4 166        | 3 920  |
| Korea                 | 5 092        | 4 762        | 4 621        | 4 292        | 4 185  | 3 781        | 3 349  |
| Lithuania             | 258          | 267          | 239          | 188          | 191    | 173          | 186    |
| Luxembourg            | 45           | 35           | 36           | 32           | 25     | 36           | 22     |
| Netherlands (b)       | 570          | 570          | 621          | 629          | 613    | 678          | 661    |
| New Zealand           | 253          | 292          | 317          | 327          | 377    | 378          | 349    |
| Norway                | 187          | 147          | 117          | 135          | 106    | 108          | 108    |
| Poland                | 3 357<br>637 | 3 202<br>638 | 2 938<br>593 | 3 026<br>563 | 2 831  | 2 862<br>675 | 2 909  |
| Portugal<br>Serbia    | 650          | 536          | 593          | 607          | 579    | 548          | 534    |
| Slovenia              | 125          | 108          | 120          | 130          | 104    | 91           | 102    |
| Spain                 | 1 680        | 1 688        | 1 689        | 1 810        | 1 830  | 1 806        | 1 755  |
| Sweden                | 260          | 270          | 259          | 270          | 252    | 324          | 221    |
| Switzerland           | 269          | 243          | 253          | 216          | 230    | 233          | 187    |
| United Kingdom        | 1 770        | 1 854        | 1 804        | 1 860        | 1 856  | 1 839        | 1 808  |
| United States         | 32 893       | 32 744       | 35 484       | 37 806       | 37 473 | 36 835       | 36 355 |
| Observers and access  |              |              |              |              |        |              |        |
| Mexico                | 15 853       | 15 886       | 16 039       | 16 185       | 15 866 | 15 574       | 14 673 |
| Morocco               | 3 832        | 3 489        | 3 776        | 3 785        | 3 726  | 3 736        | 3 622  |
| Uruguay               | 567          | 538          | 506          | 446          | 470    | 528          | 422    |
|                       |              |              |              |              |        |              |        |

<sup>(</sup>a) Data as provided by the countries and not validated by IRTAD.

<sup>(</sup>b) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

| 2020   | 2021   | 2022   | 2023   | 2023 % change<br>from 2022 | 2023 % change<br>from 2013 | Annual average change 2013-22 |
|--------|--------|--------|--------|----------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------|
|        |        |        |        |                            |                            |                               |
| 3 513  | 4 483  | 4 712  | 4 403  | -6.6                       | -20.5                      | -2.3                          |
| 1 097  | 1 115  | 1 111  |        |                            |                            |                               |
| 344    | 362    | 370    | 402    | 8.6                        | -11.6                      | -1.2                          |
| 499    | 516    | 540    | 501    | -7.2                       | -34.4                      | -4.1                          |
| 1 746  | 1 768  | 1 934  | 1 936  | 0.1                        | -0.8                       | -0.1                          |
| 1 794  | 2 052  | 2 137  | 1 997  | -6.6                       | -5.0                       | -0.5                          |
| 5 447  | 7 238  | 8 146  | 8 246  | 1.2                        | 43.2                       | 3.7                           |
| 570    | 707    | 835    | 875    | 4.8                        | 40.0                       | 3.4                           |
| 517    | 531    | 527    | 502    | -4.7                       | -23.2                      | -2.6                          |
| 163    | 130    | 154    | 162    | 5.2                        | -15.2                      | -1.6                          |
| 223    | 225    | 196    | 173    | -11.7                      | -32.9                      | -3.9                          |
| 2 541  | 2 944  | 3 267  | 3 167  | -3.1                       | -3.1                       | -0.3                          |
| 2 719  | 2 562  | 2 788  | 2 839  | 1.8                        | -15.0                      | -1.6                          |
| 584    | 624    | 654    | 634    | -3.1                       | -27.9                      | -3.2                          |
| 460    | 544    | 535    | 475    | -11.2                      | -19.6                      | -2.2                          |
| 8      | 9      | 9      | 8      | -11.1                      | -46.7                      | -6.1                          |
| 143    | 133    | 153    | 184    | 20.3                       | -2.1                       | -0.2                          |
| 305    | 364    | 351    | 361    | 2.8                        | 16.8                       | 1.6                           |
| 2 395  | 2 875  | 3 159  | 3 039  | -3.8                       | -10.6                      | -1.1                          |
| 3 416  | 3 205  | 3 216  | 3 263  | 1.5                        | -36.8                      | -4.5                          |
| 3 081  | 2 916  | 2 735  | 2 551  | -6.7                       | -49.9                      | -6.7                          |
| 175    | 148    | 120    | 160    | 33.3                       | -38.0                      | -4.7                          |
| 26     | 24     | 36     | 26     | -27.8                      | -42.2                      | -5.3                          |
| 610    | 582    | 745    | 684    | -8.2                       | 20.0                       | 1.8                           |
| 318    | 319    | 372    | 341    | -8.3                       | 34.8                       | 3.0                           |
| 93     | 80     | 116    | 110    | -5.2                       | -41.2                      | -5.2                          |
| 2 491  | 2 245  | 1 896  | 1 893  | -0.2                       | -43.6                      | -5.6                          |
| 535    | 561    | 618    | 642    | 3.9                        | 0.8                        | 0.1                           |
| 492    | 521    | 553    | 503    | -9.0                       | -22.6                      | -2.5                          |
| 80     | 114    | 85     | 82     | -3.5                       | -34.4                      | -4.1                          |
| 1 370  | 1 533  | 1 746  | 1 806  | 3.4                        | 7.5                        | 0.7                           |
| 204    | 210    | 227    | 229    | 0.9                        | -11.9                      | -1.3                          |
| 227    | 200    | 241    | 236    | -2.1                       | -12.3                      | -1.3                          |
| 1 516  | 1 608  | 1 766  | 1 695  | -4.0                       | -4.2                       | -0.4                          |
| 39 007 | 43 230 | 42 514 | 40 990 | -3.6                       | 24.6                       | 2.2                           |
|        |        |        |        |                            |                            |                               |
| 13 630 | 14 715 | 15 986 | 16 662 | 4.2                        | 5.1                        | 0.5                           |
| 3 005  | 3 685  | 3 499  | 3 819  | 9.1                        | -0.3                       | 0.0                           |
| 391    | 434    | 431    | 422    | -2.1                       | -25.6                      | -2.9                          |

<span id="page-37-0"></span>To understand the evolution in each country, Figure 12 illustrates the trends in road fatalities in 35 IRTAD countries since 2013 (excluding the data for 2020 and 2021 because of the heavy impact the Covid-19 pandemic had).

The trend in road deaths is increasing in nine out of the 35 countries: Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

In nine countries, the long‑term trend in road traffic deaths is increasing.

**Road deaths compared to the linear trend since 2013 (excluding 2020 and 2021)**

![](_page_37_Figure_4.jpeg)

Road deaths Trend

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

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### Road deaths Trend

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(a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers reported by the police).

### Road deaths Trend

![](_page_41_Figure_1.jpeg)

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<span id="page-42-0"></span>To complete the analysis of the evolution of road deaths since 2013, Figure 13 illustrates the evolution in the mortality rate per capita. Countries which have seen a significant increase in population (such as Colombia or Costa Rica) have a more moderate increase in their road mortality rate.

#### **Mortality rate by country, 2013-23**

Road deaths per 100 000 population

![](_page_42_Figure_4.jpeg)

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#### Road deaths per 100 000 population

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2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

#### Road deaths per 100 000 population

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### <span id="page-47-0"></span>**Road deaths by user group**

Disaggregated data by user category are available for 29 IRTAD countries (see Figure 14). In 2023, road fatalities in these countries decreased by 12.8% compared to 2013. When analysing the evolution by user category, pedestrian fatalities saw a notable reduction of nearly 30%. The number of car occupants and cyclists killed decreased by 19.2% and 10.3%, respectively. However, the number of fatalities among users of powered two‑wheelers increased significantly by 22.2%.

![](_page_47_Figure_2.jpeg)

Note: Data include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

#### <span id="page-48-0"></span>**Passenger car occupants**

The safety of car occupants has improved across all countries, except in New Zealand, Colombia, Chile and Portugal. Among the 29 countries with available data, the number of passenger car occupants killed in road crashes declined by 19.2% between 2013 and 2023. Notably, Korea, and Luxembourg saw reductions exceeding 50% (see Figure 15). In contrast, New Zealand, Colombia and Chile recorded the largest increases in fatalities, with rises of 43%, 25.6% and 19.8%, respectively. For the two Latin American countries, this trend is closely linked to a sharp rise in motorisation rates, with a 50% increase in the number of cars , compared to just a 16% increase in the European Union.

![](_page_48_Figure_2.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

#### <span id="page-49-0"></span>**Pedestrians**

Between 2013 and 2023, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic decreased by 29.2% across the 29 countries with available data. Iceland recorded zero pedestrian fatalities. Three countries recorded a reduction of more than 60%: Norway (-70%), Lithuania (-65.3%) and Poland (-59.9%) (Figure 16). Conversely, pedestrian fatalities increased in four countries, with Ireland recording the largest increase at 41.9%, followed by the Netherlands with a 26.8% increase. Although data for the United States in 2023 are unavailable, between 2013 and 2022, the number of pedestrian fatalities rose by 2 750, a 56% increase.

Nevertheless, we lack data on pedestrian mobility to draw conclusions on whether the safety of pedestrians is increasing or if there has been a decline in pedestrian activity.

Far fewer pedestrians have been killed.

![](_page_49_Figure_4.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police). Data from Iceland are not included in this figure, as percentage changes in small numbers distort trends.

#### <span id="page-50-0"></span>**Cyclists**

Across the 29 countries with available data, the number of cyclists killed in traffic decreased by 10.3% in 2023 compared to 2013. However, trends varied significantly among countries. Seventeen countries recorded decreases in cyclist fatalities, with the largest reductions observed in Chile (-63.4%), Poland (-49.7%), Slovenia (-43.8%), Korea (-43.1%), and Norway (-40%) (Figure 17).

In contrast, cyclist fatalities increased in 10 countries, where they increased by over 15% (Iceland and Luxembourg are not taken into account; both countries registered zero cyclist deaths in 2013 and, respectively, one and two deaths in 2023). The number of cyclists killed in traffic increased by 150% in Israel (from 14 to 35), by 114.3% in Sweden (from 14 to 30), by 81% in Switzerland (from 31 to 38), by 80% in Ireland (from 5 to 9), by 50.3% in France (from 147 to 221), by 46.7% in the Netherlands (from 184 to 270), by 41.2% in Colombia (from 308 to 435), by 30.4% in Spain (from 69 to 90), by 26% in Germany (from 345 to 446) and by 16.9% in Belgium (from 83 to 97).

This upward trend in several countries can be partly attributed to the growing use of e-bikes. In 2023, e-bike fatalities accounted for 74% of cyclist deaths in Israel, 43% in Germany and 32% in Switzerland.

Numbers of cyclists killed dropped by over 10%.

![](_page_50_Figure_6.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police). Data from Iceland and Luxembourg are not included in this figure, as percentage changes in small numbers distort trends.

#### <span id="page-51-0"></span>**Powered two-wheelers**

Motorcyclists are the only category of road users which recorded an increase in fatalities between 2013 and 2023. Again, the situation varies across countries. While in most countries, the number of powered two-wheeler (PTW) riders and passengers killed has decreased, the figures have risen sharply among a subset of countries with a very high number of motorcyclists, which contributes to the overall increase in fatalities.

The number of PTW rider and passenger deaths decreased in seventeen countries, with the largest declines occurring in Slovenia and Belgium. In contrast, the number of PTW users killed increased in eleven countries, particularly in Chile and Colombia, where the figures doubled – from 146 to 289 in Chile and from 2 616 to 5 144 in Colombia (Figure 18).

While 2023 data for Costa Rica is not yet available, the number of fatalities among PTW users doubled between 2013 and 2022, highlighting the urgent need to address motorcycle safety in Latin America.

Motorcyclist deaths doubled in Colombia and Chile.

![](_page_51_Figure_6.jpeg)

Note: (a) Real data (actual numbers instead of reported numbers by the police).

### <span id="page-52-0"></span>**Road deaths by age group**

Disaggregated data by age group are available in 28 IRTAD countries. In these countries, road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants in 2023 decreased by 15.9% compared to 2013 (see Figure 19). When looking at age cohorts, road mortality rates have decreased across all age groups, with the most significant reductions observed among the youngest and oldest age groups.

The mortality of children (0‑14) in traffic reduced by 28.7%, while it decreased by 26.4% for people aged between 65 and 74 and by 22.4% for people of 75 and above.

In the last 10 years, 36% less children died in road crashes.

![](_page_52_Figure_4.jpeg)

![](_page_52_Figure_5.jpeg)

Note: Data include Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

### <span id="page-53-0"></span>**Road deaths by road type**

Data disaggregated by road type are available in 21 IRTAD countries. Overall, road fatalities decreased by 24.4% in 2023 compared to 2013 within these countries (see Figure 20). The decrease was similar for both urban and rural roads, at 24.4%. The reduction was slightly smaller on motorways (-19.8%).

![](_page_53_Figure_2.jpeg)

Note: Data include Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

### <span id="page-54-0"></span>**National road safety strategies**

Several countries have released new road safety strategies in response to the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021‑30. The Annex presents the current road safety strategies and targets.

Among the 35 countries surveyed 33 of them either have a road safety strategy, typically until 2030, or have a shorter‑term action plan.

Most countries (31 out of 35) have adopted targets to reduce road deaths, typically in alignment with the UN goal to reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030. Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have not presently defined a quantitative target.

The baseline for this target varies. The year 2020 would have been the natural baseline for the 2021‑2030 decade. However, due to the Covid‑19 pandemic, most countries' road deaths in 2020 were exceptionally low. Using 2020 data as the baseline would therefore make the 2030 target even more challenging. Most IRTAD countries have chosen either 2019 or the average for 2017‑19 as a baseline for their 2030 targets. Several countries have set specific targets for specific road users (focusing, for example, on children, pedestrians or cyclists).

Reducing the number of people seriously injured in road traffic is at the core of the Safe System approach. Among the 35 countries covered, 26 have also set a target to reduce the number of people seriously injured in road crashes. This represents significant progress compared to the period coinciding with the First Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011‑20), when very few countries addressed the issue of serious injuries.

### <span id="page-55-0"></span>**Definitions**

- E‑bike: electrically assisted or electrically propelled bicycle‑like vehicle.
- Powered two‑wheelers: motorised vehicles with two wheels, such as motorcycles and mopeds. In IRTAD data, powered three‑wheelers are considered as powered two‑wheelers.
- Moped: two, three or four‑wheeled road motor vehicle which is fitted with an engine having a cylinder capacity of less than 50cc and a maximum authorised design speed in accordance with national regulations.
- Motorcycle: Two‑, three‑ or four‑wheeled road motor vehicle not exceeding 400 kg of unladen weight. All such vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 50 cc or over are included, as are those under 50 cc which do not meet the definition of moped.
- Road death: person killed immediately or dying within 30 days as a result of a road crash, excluding suicides.

See more in the ITF/UNECE/EUROSTAT Glossary for Transport Statistics: <https://www.itf-oecd.org/illustrated-glossary-transport-statistics>.

### <span id="page-56-0"></span>**Data tables**

This section summarises the national data on prevailing speed limits for passenger cars, maximum authorised blood alcohol content levels, and legislation regarding seat belt and helmet use, as well as statistics on their usage. Detailed country profiles with data on deaths and injuries, crash risk exposure and road safety policies are available at [www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-annual-report-2024.](https://www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-annual-report-2024)

#### <span id="page-57-0"></span>**National speed limits on urban roads, rural roads and motorways, 2024**

| Argentina<br>40-60 (Buenos Aires City has a range of 20<br>110<br>to 70 km/h)                                                                                                                           | 120-130                                                                                                                                                      |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                              |
| Australia<br>50 (default)<br>100, 110<br>60-80 (arterial roads - increasing use of 40<br>km/h or lower limits in urban areas with<br>high pedestrian activities)                                        | 100 km/h default although<br>often set to 110 km/h<br>(130 km/h in the Northern<br>Territory)                                                                |
| Austria<br>50 (sections with 40 or 30)<br>100                                                                                                                                                           | 130                                                                                                                                                          |
| Belgium<br>30-50<br>70-90<br>20 for the "living streets" regime                                                                                                                                         | 120                                                                                                                                                          |
| Bosnia and<br>50<br>80, 100<br>Herzegovina                                                                                                                                                              | 130                                                                                                                                                          |
| Canada<br>40-70<br>80-90                                                                                                                                                                                | 100-110                                                                                                                                                      |
| Chile<br>50 (maximum default limit but can vary<br>90 (rural buses, trucks and school<br>according to the type of road)<br>transport)<br>30 (school zones)<br>100 (cars and interurban buses)           | 120 (maximum default<br>speed limit but can vary in<br>some sections of the road,<br>according to the type of road<br>can be lowered to 100)                 |
| Colombia<br>50<br>90                                                                                                                                                                                    | 120                                                                                                                                                          |
| Costa Rica<br>40 (except when there is a 50 sign)<br>40-100 (60 when there is no signs)                                                                                                                 | No motorways                                                                                                                                                 |
| Czechia<br>50<br>90                                                                                                                                                                                     | 130                                                                                                                                                          |
| Denmark<br>50 (sections with 30, 40 or 60)<br>80 (sections with 60, 70 or 90)                                                                                                                           | 130 (110 for a large part of<br>the motorway network)                                                                                                        |
| Finland<br>30-60<br>80, 100                                                                                                                                                                             | 100, 120                                                                                                                                                     |
| France<br>50 by default<br>80 or 90 (90 on dedicated passing slots),<br>30 (some urban areas)<br>110 on dual carriageways (100 in wet<br>70 (exceptionally and under certain<br>weather)<br>conditions) | 130 (110 in wet weather and<br>for novice drivers)                                                                                                           |
| Germany<br>50<br>100                                                                                                                                                                                    | None (130 recommended)                                                                                                                                       |
| Greece<br>50<br>90                                                                                                                                                                                      | 130                                                                                                                                                          |
| Hungary<br>50 (sections with 30, 40, 60 and 70)<br>90                                                                                                                                                   | 130 (110 on "motor roads")                                                                                                                                   |
| Iceland<br>50<br>90 (paved roads)<br>80 (gravel roads)                                                                                                                                                  | n.a.                                                                                                                                                         |
| Ireland<br><=60 (can be 60 on arterial roads, 30 in<br>80, 100<br>built up areas)                                                                                                                       | 120                                                                                                                                                          |
| Israel<br>30- 50<br>80, 90<br>70 (arterial roads)                                                                                                                                                       | 100, 110, 120                                                                                                                                                |
| Italy<br>50<br>70-90 (110 on some main dual<br>carriageways)                                                                                                                                            | 130 (110 km/h in wet weather,<br>100 for novice drivers.<br>Motorway operator may<br>increase speed limit up to<br>150 if stringent requirements<br>are met) |
| Japan<br>40, 50, 60<br>50, 60                                                                                                                                                                           | 100                                                                                                                                                          |

| Country        | Urban areas                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Rural roads                                                                                                                                                    | Motorways                                                                                                              |
|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Korea          | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 60-80                                                                                                                                                          | 110 (100 in urban areas)                                                                                               |
| Latvia         | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 90 (80 on gravel roads)                                                                                                                                        | 120 (110 in winter)                                                                                                    |
| Luxembourg     | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 90                                                                                                                                                             | 130 (110 in wet weather)                                                                                               |
| Mexico         | 10-80 (20 in school zones, 30 on secondary<br>and tertiary streets, 50 on primary avenues<br>without controlled access, 80 in central<br>lanes of controlled access avenues and 50<br>on state highways within urban areas) | 60-110 (60 on collector road, 80 on state<br>highways outside urban areas; 50 within<br>urban areas; 110 on roads and motorways<br>under federal jurisdiction) | 110 (110 for car, 95 for buses<br>and 80 for freight transport<br>on roads and highways under<br>federal jurisdiction) |
| Morocco        | 60 (30 in residential area)                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 80-100                                                                                                                                                         | 120                                                                                                                    |
| Netherlands    | 30-50                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 60-80                                                                                                                                                          | 100 between 6:00 and 19:00<br>100, 120, or 130 between<br>19:00 and 06:00                                              |
| New Zealand    | 50 (sections may have higher or lower<br>limits)                                                                                                                                                                            | 100 (specific sections may have lower<br>limits)                                                                                                               | 100 (specific sections may<br>have limits of 110 or 120)                                                               |
| Norway         | 50 (30 on residential streets)                                                                                                                                                                                              | 80 (70 on roads with high risk and 90 on<br>roads with very low traffic volumes)                                                                               | 90,100,110                                                                                                             |
| Poland         | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 90, 100 (120 on expressways)                                                                                                                                   | 140 (120 on expressways)                                                                                               |
| Portugal       | 50 (30 on some sections)                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 90                                                                                                                                                             | 120                                                                                                                    |
| Serbia         | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 80, 100                                                                                                                                                        | 130                                                                                                                    |
| Slovenia       | 50                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 90                                                                                                                                                             | 130 (110 on expressways)                                                                                               |
| Spain          | 20 (streets with a single carriageway and<br>sidewalk platform)<br>30 (single lane streets in each direction)<br>50 (streets with two or more lanes in each<br>direction)                                                   | 90                                                                                                                                                             | 120                                                                                                                    |
| Sweden         | 50 (sections with 30, 40)                                                                                                                                                                                                   | 60,70,80,90,100                                                                                                                                                | 110,120                                                                                                                |
| Switzerland    | 50 (sections with 30)                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 80                                                                                                                                                             | 120 (100 on expressways)                                                                                               |
| United Kingdom | 48 (30 mph) (20 mph in Wales)                                                                                                                                                                                               | 96, 113 (60, 70 mph)                                                                                                                                           | 113 (70 mph)                                                                                                           |
| United States  | Set by each state                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Set by each state                                                                                                                                              | 88-129 (55-80 mph, set by<br>each state)                                                                               |

#### <span id="page-59-0"></span>Maximum authorised blood alcohol content levels, 2024, by country

| Country                | General BAC level (g/l) | Differentiated BAC level (g/l)                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Argentina              | 0.0                     | 0.0 for professional drivers<br>0.0 for motorcycle and moped riders                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Australia              | 0.5                     | 0.0 for novice drivers<br>0.2 for professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Austria                | 0.5                     | 0.1 for moped drivers under 20; novice drivers (first three years),<br>truck (>7.5 tons) and bus (>9 seats) drivers                                                                                                                      |
| Belgium                | 0.5                     | 0.2 for professional drivers (since January 2015)                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0.3                     | 0.0 for professional drivers, novice drivers, drivers who perform<br>public transport, driving instructors, driving candidates, drivers<br>under 21 or with less than 3 years of driving experience                                      |
| Canada                 | 0.8                     | administrative maximum level of 0.5 g/l or 0.4 g/l in most<br>provinces<br>0.0 g/l administrative maximum level for novice and young<br>(under 21) drivers in most provinces                                                             |
| Chile                  | 0.3                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Colombia               | 0.2                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Costa Rica             | 0.5                     | 0.2 for novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Czechia                | 0.0                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Denmark                | 0.5                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Finland                | 0.5                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| France                 | 0.5                     | 0.2 for bus/coach drivers, novice drivers                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Germany                | 0.5                     | 0.0 for drivers under 21 and novice drivers, for professional<br>drivers who transport passengers or hazardous goods<br>Drivers with a BAC between 0.3-0.5 g/l can have their licenses<br>suspended if their driving ability is impaired |
| Greece                 | 0.5                     | 0.2 for professional drivers, novice drivers, motorcycles and<br>moped riders                                                                                                                                                            |
| Hungary                | 0.0                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Iceland                | 0.2                     | Sanction starts from above 0.5-                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Ireland                | 0.5                     | 0.2 for learner, novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Israel                 | 0.5                     | 0.1 for young (under 24), novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Italy                  | 0.5                     | 0.0 for young (under 21), novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Japan                  | 0.3                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Korea                  | 0.3                     | -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Latvia                 | 0.5                     | 0.2 for leaner, novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| Lithuania              | 0.4                     | 0.0 for novice, professional, moped and motorcycle drivers                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Luxembourg             | 0.5                     | 0.2 for novice and professional drivers                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| Mexico                 | 0.5                     | 0.0 for professional drivers<br>0.2 for motorcycle drivers                                                                                                                                                                               |

| Country        | General BAC level (g/l)                                  | Differentiated BAC level (g/l)                                                        |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Morocco        | 0.2                                                      | -                                                                                     |
| Netherlands    | 0.5 (including cyclists)                                 | 0.2 for novice drivers (first five years) and professional drivers                    |
| New Zealand    | 0.5                                                      | 0.0 for drivers under 20 years                                                        |
| Norway         | 0.2                                                      | -                                                                                     |
| Poland         | 0.2                                                      | -                                                                                     |
| Portugal       | 0.5                                                      | 0.2 for novice (first three years) and professional drivers (since<br>1 January 2014) |
| Serbia         | 0.2                                                      | 0.0 for novice and professional drivers and for PTW operators                         |
| Slovenia       | 0.5                                                      | 0.0 for novice (first three years) and professional drivers                           |
| Spain          | 0.5                                                      | 0.3 for novice and professional drivers<br>0.0 for drivers under 18                   |
| Sweden         | 0.2                                                      | -                                                                                     |
| Switzerland    | 0.5                                                      | 0.0 for novice (first three years) and professional drivers                           |
| United Kingdom | 0.8 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)<br>0.5 (Scotland) | -                                                                                     |
| United States  | 0.8 (except for one state where it is 0.5)               | 0.4 for professional drivers<br>0.0 to 0.2 for drivers < 21                           |

#### <span id="page-61-0"></span>**Seat-belt laws and wearing rates in front and rear seats of passenger cars, 2023 or latest available year**

|                        |                                                            | Front seats                                         | Rear seats                                                                          |                                               |  |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--|
| Country                | Date of<br>application                                     | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                         | Date of<br>application                                                              | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                   |  |
| Argentina              | 1995                                                       | 55 driver 43 passenger (urban<br>areas), (2018)     | 1995                                                                                | 20 (urban areas) (2018)                       |  |
| Australia              | 1970s                                                      | 97 (2018)                                           | 1970s                                                                               | 96 (2019)                                     |  |
| Austria                | 1984                                                       | 98 drivers, 98 passengers                           | 1990                                                                                | 93                                            |  |
| Belgium                | 1975                                                       | 94 drivers, 92 passengers                           | 1991                                                                                | 79                                            |  |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2006                                                       |                                                     | 2006                                                                                |                                               |  |
| Canada                 | 1976-1988                                                  | 97.5 (2017)                                         | 1976-1988                                                                           | 95 (2015)                                     |  |
| Chile                  | 1985                                                       | 86 drivers, 72 passengers (2021)                    | 2002 (for vehicles<br>manufactured from<br>2002)                                    | 21 (2021)                                     |  |
| Colombia               | 2002                                                       | 67 drivers; 49 passengers (2022)                    | 2004                                                                                | No official data                              |  |
| Costa Rica             | 2020                                                       | 71 drivers, 63 passengers (2020,<br>national roads) | 2020                                                                                | 36 (2020)                                     |  |
| Czechia                | 1966                                                       | 96 drivers, 95 passengers                           | 1975                                                                                | 88                                            |  |
| Denmark                | 1970s                                                      | 97.5 drivers (2022)                                 | 1980s                                                                               | 93 passengers above 15<br>years of age (2022) |  |
| Finland                | 1975                                                       | 97 built-up areas<br>98 outside built-up areas      | 1987                                                                                | 91 (2022)                                     |  |
| France                 | 1973 (rural), 1975 (urban<br>by night)<br>1979 (all times) | 99 drivers, 97.5 passengers                         | 1991                                                                                | 88                                            |  |
| Germany                | 1976                                                       | 99 drivers, 99 passengers                           | 1984                                                                                | 95                                            |  |
| Greece                 | 1979                                                       | 72 drivers and passengers<br>(2022)                 | 1993                                                                                | 56 (2022)                                     |  |
| Hungary                | 1976                                                       | 92 drivers, 90.5 passengers<br>(2022)               | 1993 outside built up<br>areas<br>2001 inside built-up<br>areas                     | 65 (2022)                                     |  |
| Iceland                |                                                            | 97 drivers and passengers                           |                                                                                     | 93                                            |  |
| Ireland                | 1979                                                       | 95 drivers, 94 passengers                           | 1992                                                                                | 95                                            |  |
| Israel                 | 1975                                                       |                                                     | 1995                                                                                | 71 (2019)                                     |  |
| Italy                  | 1988                                                       | 93 drivers, 91 passengers (2019)                    | 2006                                                                                | 34.5 (2022)                                   |  |
| Japan                  | 1985                                                       | 87 drivers, 84 passengers (2022)                    | 2008                                                                                | 44                                            |  |
| Korea                  | 1990                                                       | 99 drivers, 97 passengers                           | 2008, on motorways<br>only<br>Since September 2018,<br>on the whole road<br>network | 35                                            |  |
| Latvia                 | 1980s                                                      | 85 drivers, 88 passengers                           | 1980s                                                                               | 90 (2021)                                     |  |
| Mexico                 | 2022 (new law)                                             | 93 drivers, 95 passengers (2021)                    | 2022 (new law)                                                                      | 46 (2017)                                     |  |

|                |                                                                                                                   | Front seats                                | Rear seats                          |                                                                  |  |
|----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| Country        | Date of<br>application                                                                                            | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                | Date of<br>application              | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                                      |  |
| Morocco        | 1977 – rural areas                                                                                                | 79 drivers, 65 general (2017)              | 2005 – rural areas                  | 36 (2018)                                                        |  |
| Netherlands    | 2005 – urban areas                                                                                                | 62 drivers, 57 passengers                  | 1992                                |                                                                  |  |
| New Zealand    | 1975                                                                                                              | 95                                         | 1979                                | 92 (2014)                                                        |  |
| Norway         | 1972                                                                                                              | 97 drivers, 96 passengers (2023)           | 1985                                | 96 (2014)                                                        |  |
| Poland         | 1975                                                                                                              | 98 drivers, 97 passengers                  | 1991                                | 90                                                               |  |
| Portugal       | 1983                                                                                                              | 96 drivers and passengers                  | 1994                                | 79 (2021), 92 child<br>restraint systems front<br>or rear (2021) |  |
| Serbia         | 1978                                                                                                              | 98 drivers (2021)                          | 2009                                | 17                                                               |  |
| Slovenia       | 1982                                                                                                              |                                            | 1998                                | 78 adults (2018)                                                 |  |
| Spain          | 1974 outside urban<br>areas<br>1992 inside urban areas                                                            | 87 drivers, 83 passengers                  | 1992                                | 93 (2021)                                                        |  |
| Sweden         | 1975                                                                                                              | 97 drivers (2023)                          | 1986; child restraint<br>since 1988 | 94 (2017)                                                        |  |
| Switzerland    | 1981                                                                                                              | 96 drivers, 94 passengers                  | 1994                                | 85                                                               |  |
| United Kingdom | 1983                                                                                                              | 98 drivers, 95 passengers (for<br>England) | 1989 (children); 1991<br>(adults)   | 92 (2021 for Great<br>Britain)                                   |  |
| United States  | Primary law in 34 states<br>and D.C., secondary<br>law in 15 states. Not<br>mandatory for adults in<br>one state. | 92 (2022)                                  | Varies by State                     | 82 (2022)                                                        |  |

#### <span id="page-63-0"></span>**Helmet laws and wearing rates, 2023 or latest available year**

|                        | Powered two-wheelers                                                                                                                |                                                                                       | Cyclists                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                 |  |
|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| Country                | Helmet law                                                                                                                          | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                                                           | Helmet law                                                                                                       | Wearing rate (%) in<br>2023                                                                                                     |  |
| Argentina              | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 69 riders, 42 first pass.,<br>21 additional passengers<br>(urban areas) (2018)        | Yes                                                                                                              | 8 (2018)                                                                                                                        |  |
| Australia              | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 99 riders (2018)                                                                      | Yes                                                                                                              |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Austria                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 99.8                                                                                  | Yes, for children to age 12                                                                                      | 45 (86 for children)                                                                                                            |  |
| Belgium                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 99.7 (2022)                                                                           | No                                                                                                               | 25 (2022)                                                                                                                       |  |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                       | Yes                                                                                                              |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Canada                 | Yes                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                       | In some jurisdictions                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Chile                  | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 95 riders, 87 passengers<br>(2021)                                                    | Yes in urban areas                                                                                               | 67 (2019)                                                                                                                       |  |
| Colombia               | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 79.2 motorcycle riders,<br>52.7 passengers (urban<br>areas) (2022)                    | Yes, for children to age 18                                                                                      | 22.4 (urban areas)<br>(2022)                                                                                                    |  |
| Costa Rica             | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 97.2 riders,<br>90.1 passengers (2020)                                                | No                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Czechia                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 100                                                                                   | Yes, for children to age 18                                                                                      | 48 (89 for children)                                                                                                            |  |
| Denmark                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 100 motorcycles (2022)<br>96 light mopeds (urban<br>areas)                            | No<br>Yes for escooters                                                                                          | 51 (urban areas)<br>60 (e-bikes in urban areas)<br>81 (children on the way to<br>school)<br>64.5 (e-scooters in urban<br>areas) |  |
| Finland                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 99.7 (2019)                                                                           | No                                                                                                               | 55                                                                                                                              |  |
| France                 | Yes, since 1973 for<br>motorcyclists<br>1976 for moped riders<br>outside built up areas<br>1980 for moped riders in<br>urban areas  | 99 outside built up areas<br>96.5 in urban areas                                      | Yes, for children under 12                                                                                       | Major cities: 34 weekdays,<br>40 weekends                                                                                       |  |
| Germany                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 99 riders and passengers                                                              | No                                                                                                               | 40 (inside urban areas<br>including sport bicycles)<br>34 (inside urban areas<br>excluding sport bicycles)                      |  |
| Greece                 | Yes, since 1977                                                                                                                     | 80 riders,<br>65.5 passengers (2022)                                                  | No                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Hungary                | Yes since 1965 for<br>motorcyclists,<br>1997 for moped riders<br>outside built up areas<br>1998 for moped riders in<br>urban areas. | Motorcyclists: 100 drivers,<br>100 passengers<br>Mopeds: 96 drivers and<br>passengers | No                                                                                                               | 18                                                                                                                              |  |
| Iceland                | Yes                                                                                                                                 | no data                                                                               | Yes, for children to age 15                                                                                      | 84 (2022)                                                                                                                       |  |
| Ireland                | Yes, since 1978                                                                                                                     | 98                                                                                    | No                                                                                                               | 49                                                                                                                              |  |
| Israel                 | Yes                                                                                                                                 | n.a.                                                                                  | Yes. Mandatory for all<br>ages in non-urban roads.<br>Mandatory for cyclists<br>under 18 years in urban<br>roads | 21% (2015 observational<br>survey among cyclists on<br>urban roads)                                                             |  |
| Italy                  | Yes, for all since 2000<br>Since 1986 for motorcyclists<br>and riders of moped under 18                                             | 96.5 (2022)                                                                           | No                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                 |  |
| Japan                  | Yes                                                                                                                                 | 100 (2021)                                                                            | Yes, since 2023                                                                                                  | 17 (2024)                                                                                                                       |  |
|                        |                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                       |                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                 |  |

|                | Powered two-wheelers                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                    | Cyclists                                                                                                 |                                                                          |  |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|
| Country        | Helmet law                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Wearing rate (%)<br>in 2023                                                                        | Helmet law                                                                                               | Wearing rate (%) in<br>2023                                              |  |
| Korea          | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 94 (2022)                                                                                          | No                                                                                                       | 94 (2022)                                                                |  |
| Latvia         | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 100 (2021)                                                                                         | Yes, for children to age 16                                                                              | 18 (2021)                                                                |  |
| Luxembourg     | Yes, since 1976                                                                                                                                                                                              | 100 (2021)                                                                                         | No                                                                                                       | 11 (2017)                                                                |  |
| Mexico         | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 89 riders, 82 passengers<br>(2021)                                                                 | Yes on federal roads since<br>2012                                                                       |                                                                          |  |
| Morocco        | Yes, since 1976                                                                                                                                                                                              | 57 riders, 31 passengers<br>(2022)                                                                 | No                                                                                                       | 3 bikes, 8 e-bikes                                                       |  |
| Netherlands    | Yes, motorcycles since 1972;<br>mopeds since 1975. Not<br>compulsory on slow mopeds<br>(max. 25 km/h) until 2022<br>As of 1 Jan 2023 all riders of<br>slow-mopeds (speed max<br>25 km./h) must wear a helmet | 99 mopeds                                                                                          | No                                                                                                       | 94 (2015)                                                                |  |
| New Zealand    | Yes, since 1956 when<br>travelling above 30 mph<br>Since 1973 at all speeds                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                    | Yes, since 1994                                                                                          | 94 (2015)                                                                |  |
| Norway         | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 100 (2021)                                                                                         | No                                                                                                       | 66.4 (all age groups)<br>65.2 (above 12)<br>78.3 (below 12)<br>2024 data |  |
| Poland         | Yes, since 1997                                                                                                                                                                                              | 100 (2021)                                                                                         | No                                                                                                       | 25                                                                       |  |
| Portugal       | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 100                                                                                                | No                                                                                                       | 48 (urban roads)                                                         |  |
| Serbia         | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Motorcyclists: 88 riders,<br>80 passengers<br>Mopeds: 69 riders,<br>88 passengers                  | No                                                                                                       | 6                                                                        |  |
| Slovenia       | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Motorcyclists: 99.8 riders,<br>99.2 passengers<br>Mopeds: 67 riders,<br>96 passengers              | Yes, for children under 18                                                                               | Under 14: 90<br>14-18: 44<br>18-60: 45<br>Above 60: 36                   |  |
| Spain          | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 99 riders, 96 passengers<br>99 in urban roads (2021)<br>100 in motorways and<br>rural roads (2021) | Yes.<br>Mandatory on non-urban<br>roads for all.<br>Mandatory on urban rods<br>only for cyclists under 6 | 33 in urban roads<br>90 in rural roads<br>(2022)                         |  |
| Sweden         | Yes                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 98 mopeds (2021)                                                                                   | Yes, for children to age 15<br>(since 2015)                                                              | 46 for all age groups<br>64 for children<br>42 for adults                |  |
| Switzerland    | Yes, motorcycles since 1981;<br>mopeds since 1990                                                                                                                                                            | 100 motorcycles<br>97 mopeds                                                                       | No for regular bicycles<br>Yes for e-bikes ≥ 25km/h                                                      | 47 cyclists<br>64 e-bikes <25km/h<br>96 e-bikes ≥25km/h                  |  |
| United Kingdom | Yes, motorcycles 1973;<br>mopeds since 1977                                                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                    | No                                                                                                       |                                                                          |  |
| United States  | No national law.18 states, D.C.<br>and PR require helmet use<br>by all, 29 by specific users,<br>3 have no helmet law.                                                                                       | 65 use of DOT-compliant<br>helmets (2022)                                                          | Age-specific helmet laws in<br>21 states and D.C.                                                        |                                                                          |  |

## <span id="page-65-0"></span>**Annex. Road safety strategies and targets in IRTAD countries**

This Annex details national road safety strategies (Table A1) and national targets on road deaths and serious injuries (Table A2).

#### <span id="page-66-0"></span>**Road safety strategies in IRTAD countries**

| Country                | Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Australia              | The Australian National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 was adopted in 2021 following consultation and<br>review. The strategy continues Australia's commitment to the Safe System approach.<br>The Australian National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 sets out the key actions all governments will undertake<br>to 2025.<br>Link:<br>https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/nrss          |
| Austria                | The Austrian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 refers to the Safe System.<br>Link:<br>https://www.bmk.gv.at/en/topics/transport/roads/safety/vss2030.html                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Belgium                | Belgium's federal road safety plan, the Plan Fédéral de Sécurité Routière 2021-25, is based on Vision Zero.<br>There are also three regional plans and a federal strategy, known as "All for Zero".<br>Links:<br>https://all-for-zero.be/storage/minisites/plan-federal-securite-routiere.pdf<br>https://all-for-zero.be/fr/all-for-zero/                                        |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | The Framework Road Safety Strategy Development for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2024-2028) is under<br>preparation and has not yet been published. The strategy's vision is the Road To Zero.                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Canada                 | Canada's Road Safety Strategy 2025 (RSS 2025) was first published in 2016 and adopts the Safe System<br>approach.<br>Canada also has a long-term vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries on the roads (Vision Zero).<br>Link:<br>http://roadsafetystrategy.ca/en/                                                                                                         |
| Chile                  | Chile's Estrategia Nacional de Seguridad de Tránsito [National Road Safety Strategy] for 2021-30 was<br>published in December 2020. It specifically refers to the Safe System and Vision Zero ("Vision Zero for Chile").<br>Link:<br>https://www.conaset.cl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Estrategia-Nacional-de-Seguridad-de<br>Tr%C3%A1nsito_2021-2030.pdf                        |
| Colombia               | Colombia's National Road Safety Strategy 2022-31 was adopted in July 2022. It officially adopted the Safe<br>System approach.<br>Link:<br>https://www.ansv.gov.co                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Czechia                | Czechia's national road safety strategy for 2021-30 is titled Road Safety is Everyone's Right and<br>Responsibility. Both Vision Zero and the Safe System approach are at its core.<br>Link:<br>https://besip.cz/getattachment/Pro-odborniky/Narodni-strategie-BESIP/Aktualni-strategie/Czech-Road-Traffic<br>Safety-Strategy-2021-30_11-11.pdf                                  |
| Denmark                | Denmark has adopted the 2021-2030 Action Plan. The plan does not refer to Vision Zero or the Safe System.<br>The current plan's vision is "Every accident is one too many", which dates back to earlier action plans created by<br>the Commission.<br>Link:<br>https://www.faerdselssikkerhedskommissionen.dk/media/eymfxr0n/fsk_resume_handlingsplaneng_2021-2030_<br>final.pdf |

| Country | Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|---------| |
| Finland | Finland's traffic safety strategy for 2022-2026 was published in March 2022 and was accompanied by a<br>government resolution on traffic safety. It refers to both Vision Zero and the Safe System.<br>Link:<br>https://www.fintraffic.fi/en/fintraffic/strategy-2022-2026                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| France  | Driving safely and serenely on France's roads is the road map agreed in July 2023 by the Interministerial Road<br>Safety Committees (CISR), which brings together ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister.<br>France endorsed the target of halving the number of killed and seriously injured by 2030, and the concept of "Zero<br>fatalities on the roads by 2050" set out in the EU's "Valetta declaration" of 2017.<br>Link:<br>https://www.onisr.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/en/road-safety-policy/interministerial-road-safety-committees                                                  |
| Germany | The German road safety strategy (known as the Road Safety Pact) covers the period 2021-30. It refers to the<br>Safe System.<br>Link:<br>https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Anlage/StV/road-safety-pact-en.pdf?blob=publicationFile                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Greece  | Greece's National Road Safety Strategic Plan covers the period 2021-2030. It refers to both the Safe System<br>approach and Vision Zero.<br>Links:<br>https://www.nrso.ntua.gr/nrss2030/?lang=en<br>https://www.nrso.ntua.gr/nrss2030/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NationalRoadSafetyStrategicPlan-eng.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Hungary | In Hungary, road safety strategies are prepared for three-year periods. The current Road Safety Action Plan<br>covers the period 2023-25. It is built on the concept of Vision Zero and the Safe System approach.<br>Link:<br>https://www.kti.hu                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| Iceland | The new Traffic Safety Plan covers the period 2024-38.<br>Link:<br>https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/01Frettatengtmyndir-og-skrar/IRN/Frettatengd-skjol/Fylgiskjal%204%20<br>-%20Umferðaröryggisáætlun.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Ireland | Ireland's national road safety strategy for 2021-2030, Our Journey Towards Vision Zero, refers to both the Safe<br>System and Vision Zero.<br>The 2021-2030 strategy is supported by a Phase 1 Action Plan for 2021-24.<br>The strategy and action plan focus on seven Safe System priority intervention areas, and commit to achieving<br>Vision Zero in Ireland by 2050.<br>Links:<br>https://www.rsa.ie/about/safety-strategy-2021-2030<br>https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/action-plans/rsa_safety_strategy_action_<br>plan_2021_2024_13th_jan2022_final_online.pdf?sfvrsn=67518e36_5 |
| Italy   | In April 2022, Italy's Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development approved<br>the National Road Safety Plan 2030.<br>The plan is based on the Safe System approach.<br>Link:<br>https://www.mit.gov.it/nfsmitgov/files/media/progetti/2022-09/20220916_Piano%20Nazionale%20Sicurezza%20<br>Stradale_Def.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| Japan   | The Japanese government released its 11th Traffic Safety Program in March 2021. It covers the period 2021-25.<br>It does not refer to either the Safe System or Vision Zero.<br>Link:<br>https://www8.cao.go.jp/koutu/kihon/keikaku11/index.html                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

| Country     | Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|-------------| |
| Korea       | Korea's 9th National Transport Safety Plan 2022-2026 has been approved by the Ministry of Land,<br>Infrastructure and Transport. The Plan is based on Vision Zero.<br>Link:<br>http://molit.go.kr/viewer/skin/doc.html?fn=3f774e661393273f795b8c521c83a539&rs=/viewer/result/20220928                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Latvia      | Latvia's current Road Traffic Safety Plan covers the period 2021-2027.<br>The plan aligns with the long-term objective of achieving zero deaths and zero serious injuries.<br>Link:<br>https://likumi.lv/ta/id/326640-par-celu-satiksmes-drosibas-planu-2021-2027-gadam                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Luxembourg  | Luxembourg is developing a National Road Safety Plan for 2024-2028.<br>The plan aims to reduce the large number of serious injuries and fatalities on the roads in pursuit of the long-term<br>goal of zero deaths and zero serious injuries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Mexico      | Mexico published the new Mobility and Road Safety Strategy (ENAMOV) 2023-2042 in June 2023.<br>A new General Law of Mobility and Road Safety was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on 17 May<br>2022. Its objective is to establish the basis for guaranteeing the right to safe mobility and inclusive accessibility.<br>The law adopts a Safe System approach.<br>Links:<br>https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5596042&fecha=02/07/2020<br>https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LGMSV.pdf<br>https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/848141/ENAMOV_2023-2042.pdf                                                                                                                                                 |
| Morocco     | Morocco's current national road safety strategy covers the period 2017-2026.<br>The strategy refers to the Safe System and is based on the five road safety pillars.<br>Link:<br>https://www.narsa.ma/fr                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Netherlands | The Netherlands' road safety strategy is called Door to Door Safety (2018-2030). The Road Safety Strategic<br>Plan 2030 is based on a joint vision on the approach to road safety policy.<br>The strategy is based on the Safe System approach (named Sustainable Safety in the Netherlands).<br>Links:<br>https://www.kennisnetwerkspv.nl/getmedia/ce0099b7-ce77-4ce2-98c8-a7810662ef10/19-093-RO-SPV-Engels_<br>v2.pdf.aspx<br>https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/ronl-d55ff6bc0b5d564c03906bb54019eb485f83842e/pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| New Zealand | The government released in October 2024 New Zealand's Road Safety Objectives, outlining a plan over the next<br>three years for tackling the country's most challenging road safety issues. The Plan is based on the Safe System<br>Approach. This replaces the previous strategy "Road to Zero".<br>Link:<br>https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/24-EX-087-Road-Safety-Objectives-document_v2.4.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Norway      | Vision Zero was adopted by the Parliament for the first time in 2001 and is the base for all the following Road<br>Safety Strategies.<br>The existing strategy was adopted by the Parliament in 2021 as part of the National Transport Plan 2022-2033.<br>The National Plan of Action for Road Safety 2022-2025 was developed by the Norwegian Public Roads<br>Administration in cooperation with a wide range of other national stakeholders.<br>Links:<br>https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/fag/fokusomrader/trafikksikkerhet/nasjonal-tiltaksplan-for<br>trafikksikkerhet-pa-vei-2022-2025.pdf<br>https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/fag/fokusomrader/trafikksikkerhet/national-plan-of-action-for-road<br>safety-2022-2025short-version-in-english.pdf |

**Country Strategy Poland** Poland published its **National Road Safety Programme 2021-2030** in December 2021. The document refers to both **Vision Zero** and the **Safe System approach**. **Link:** [https://www.krbrd.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/](https://www.krbrd.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Narodowy-Program-Bezpieczenstwa-Ruchu-Drogowego-2021-2030.pdf)2021/12/Narodowy-Program-Bezpieczenstwa-Ruchu-**Portugal** Portugal's national road safety strategy 2021-30, entitled "Vision Zero to 2030", is currently under development. It refers to **Vision Zero** and the **Safe System approach**. **Link:** [https://visaozero2030](https://visaozero2030.pt/en/).pt/en/ **Serbia** Serbia adopted the **National Road Safety Strategy 2023-2030** in September 2023, along with the Action Plan 2023-2025. It refers to **Vision Zero** and the **Safe System approach**. **Link:** <https://abs.gov.rs/rsc/strateska-dokumenta> **Slovenia** The new Resolution on the National Road Safety Programme for the period 2023-2030 was approved by the Slovenia's National Assembly. The Programme is be based on **Vision Zero** and the **Safe System approach**. **Link:** [https://www.avp-rs.si/management-varnosti-cestnega-prometa/nacionalni-program-2023](https://www.avp-rs.si/management-varnosti-cestnega-prometa/nacionalni-program-2023-2030/)-2030/ **Spain** Spain's Road Safety Strategy 2030 (**Estrategia de Seguridad Vial 2030, ESV 2030**) was published and officially presented by the Minister of the Interior on 9 June 2022. The strategy is based on the **Safe System approach**. The main target is aligned with the WHO Plan for the Decade of Action as well as the European Union Framework 2021-2030, namely: a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries for 2030, and a long-term target of **Vision Zero by 2050**. **Links:** [https://seguridadvial2030.dgt.es/export/sites/sv2030/.galleries/descargas/Road\\_Safety\\_Strategy\\_2030\\_](https://seguridadvial2030.dgt.es/export/sites/sv2030/.galleries/descargas/Road_Safety_Strategy_2030_Summary_EN.pdf) **Sweden** Sweden released the updated **2022-30 road safety strategy** in 2023. The strategy is based on **Vision Zero**. The Action Plan 2022-2025, developed by the Swedish Transport Administration, also describes commitments from a wide range of stakeholders. **Links:** [https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:trafikverket:diva-](https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:trafikverket:diva-16002)16002 [https://bransch.trafikverket.se/for-dig-i-branschen/samarbete-med-branschen/Samarbeten-for-trafiksakerhet/](https://bransch.trafikverket.se/for-dig-i-branschen/samarbete-med-branschen/Samarbeten-for-trafiksakerhet/tillsammans-for-nollvisionen/gemensam-aktionsplan-for-saker-vagtrafik-2022-2025/) [tillsammans-for-nollvisionen/gemensam-aktionsplan-for-saker-vagtrafik-](https://bransch.trafikverket.se/for-dig-i-branschen/samarbete-med-branschen/Samarbeten-for-trafiksakerhet/tillsammans-for-nollvisionen/gemensam-aktionsplan-for-saker-vagtrafik-2022-2025/)2022-2025/ **Switzerland** In 2016 the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) published a strategy that set targets for fatalities and serious

does not refer either to Vision Zero or the Safe System approach.

[strategie-broschuere.pdf.download.pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie\\_](https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/abteilung_direktionsgeschaefteallgemein/strategie/strategie-broschuere.pdf.download.pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie_OFROU_fr.pdf)OFROU\_fr.pdf

[pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie partielle s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9 routi%C3%A8re.pdf](https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/direktion/teilstrategie-verkehrssicherheit.pdf.download.pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie partielle s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9 routi%C3%A8re.pdf)

The **sub-strategy on road safety, published in 2020**, specifies the need for action and concrete measures. It

[https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/abteilung\\_direktionsgeschaefteallgemein/strategie/](https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/abteilung_direktionsgeschaefteallgemein/strategie/strategie-broschuere.pdf.download.pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie_OFROU_fr.pdf)

[https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/direktion/teilstrategie-verkehrssicherheit.pdf.download.](https://www.astra.admin.ch/dam/astra/fr/dokumente/direktion/teilstrategie-verkehrssicherheit.pdf.download.pdf/Strat%C3%A9gie partielle s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9 routi%C3%A8re.pdf)

injuries on Swiss roads to be met by 2030.

**Links:**

| Country        | Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| United Kingdom | The United Kingdom is the process of developing a new Road Safety Strategic Framework (RSSF) which will be<br>published. It is likely to be based on a Safe System approach.<br>Link:<br>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-framework-for-road-safety                                           |
| United States  | In January 2022, the US Department of Transportation released a National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).<br>At the core of this strategy is a Department-wide adoption of the Safe System approach. This is the first step in<br>working towards an ambitious long-term goal of reaching zero roadway fatalities. |
|                | Links:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|                | https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|                | https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-04/US_DOT_FY2022-26_Strategic_Plan.pdf                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|                | DOT NRSS Action Tracking Dashboard                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|                | 2023 Progress Report on the National Roadway Safety Strategy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

#### <span id="page-71-0"></span>**Targets on road deaths and serious injuries in IRTAD countries**

| Country              | Target                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Baseline year(s)                                                                                                                                             |  |  |
|----------------------| |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|
| Australia            | • Reduce fatalities by 50% by 2030<br>• Reduce serious injuries by 30% by 2030.<br>As part of demonstrating a commitment to the 2050 Vision Zero target, the<br>strategy will target by 2030:<br>• Zero deaths for children 7 years and under<br>• Zero deaths in city central business district (CBD) areas<br>• Zero deaths on National highways and on high-speed roads covering<br>80% of travel across the network.<br>There are no interim targets, however, the 2030 Target of a 30 per cent<br>reduction in serious injuries by 2030 will be assessed as part of the mid-term<br>review of the Strategy. | Average for 2018-20 for<br>fatalities.<br>3-year average of hospital<br>cases for 2017-18 and 2018-19<br>and estimates for 2019-20, for<br>serious injuries. |  |  |
| Austria              | • Reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.<br>Austria also has a Vision Zero for child fatalities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Average for 2017-19                                                                                                                                          |  |  |
| Belgium              | • Reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030<br>2019<br>• Reduce serious injuries, as defined by a maximum abbreviated injury<br>score of three or above (MAIS3+), by 50% by 2030<br>• Reduce road deaths by 100% by 2050<br>• Reduce serious injuries (MAIS3+) by 90% by 2050.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                                                                                                                                                              |  |  |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | • Reduction of 50% in the number of deaths and serious injuries by 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                                                                                                                                                              |  |  |
| Canada               | No hard quantitative targets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                              |  |  |
| Chile                | • Reduce road traffic fatalities by 30% by 2030.<br>There are specific additional targets:<br>• Reduce the share of vulnerable road users in road deaths from 49% to<br>35% of all deaths<br>• Reduce the mortality rate of young people (15 29) from 2.2 in 2019 to<br>1.5 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants in 2030.<br>• Reduce the mortality rate of elderly people (+60) from 1.9 in 2019 to<br>1.3 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants in 2030.                                                                                                                                                                    | Average for 2011-19                                                                                                                                          |  |  |
| Colombia             | • Reduce by 50% the road mortality from 14.6 road deaths per<br>100 000 population in 2021 to 7.3 in 2030.<br>The strategy also includes three specific targets:<br>• Reduce by 47% (from 4 526 in 2021 to 2 421 in 2030) the number of<br>motorcyclists killed in road crashes<br>• Reduce by 44% (from 1 590 in 2021 to 891 in 2030) the number of<br>pedestrians killed in road crashes<br>• Reduce by 37% (from 483 in 2021 to 302 in 2030) the number of cyclists<br>killed in road crashes.                                                                                                                | 2021                                                                                                                                                         |  |  |
| Czechia              | • Reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Average for 2017-19                                                                                                                                          |  |  |

| Country | Target                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Baseline year(s) |
|---------| |------------------|
| Denmark | • Reduce the number road deaths to 90 or below (data from policy<br>registry)<br>• Reduce the number of serious injuries to 900 or below (data from the<br>police registry)<br>• Reduce the number of slight injures to 10 000 or below (data from the<br>Danish national patient register).<br>These figures correspond to an approximate 50% reduction of the average for<br>2017-19, which is 182 killed and 1 813 seriously injured persons per year.<br>There are no specific targets, but five focus areas have been pointed out<br>and will be monitored: single vehicle crashes, head-on collisions, crashes at<br>intersections, vulnerable road users and young car drivers. |                  |
| Finland | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.<br>The long-term vision is zero road deaths in 2050.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | 2020             |
| France  | France endorsed the road safety targets, decided at the European Union level<br>in Valetta in March 2017, to reduce by 50% the number of fatalities and severe<br>injuries on European roads by 2030.<br>France reiterated its commitment at the February 2020 Global Ministerial<br>Meeting on Road Safety in Stockholm, which concluded that these same targets<br>should be achieved globally by 2030.<br>The baseline year is 2019 since the year 2020 cannot be considered as a<br>reference, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.<br>France has also endorsed the concept of zero fatalities on the roads by 2050.                                                                      | 2019             |
| Germany | • Reduce by 40 % the number of road deaths by 2030.<br>• "Significantly" reduce the number of serious injuries by 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 2021             |
| Greece  | • Reduce by 50% road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.<br>Additional specific targets:<br>• 66% reduction in motorcyclists killed by 2030<br>• 60% reduction in road fatalities on Greek islands by 2030<br>• No deaths on motorways by 2030<br>• 35% reduction in deaths in single vehicles crashes by 2030<br>• Zero fatalities in 49 cities with a population between 50 000 and<br>100 000 inhabitants<br>• Being ranked 13th among EU countries regarding deaths per<br>100 000 population.<br>There is an interim target to reduce by 30% deaths and serious injuries by 2025.                                                                                                | 2019             |
| Hungary | Long-term targets:<br>• Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030 from 460 to 230<br>• Reduce by 50% the number of serious injuries by 2030 from 4 655 to<br>2 327<br>Short-term targets:<br>• Reach the EU average in terms of road fatalities per million inhabitants<br>by 2025<br>• Proportional reduction of the number of fatalities and serious injuries<br>to reach the 2030 target (345 fatalities and 3 491 seriously injuries by<br>2025)                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 2020             |

| Country    | Target                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Baseline year(s)    |  |  |  |
|------------| |---------------------|--|--|--|
| Iceland    | The 2024-38 Traffic Safety Plan includes three main targets:<br>• Iceland should rank among the top five European countries in terms of<br>fatalities per capita, based on a five-year average.<br>• The number of fatalities and serious injuries should decrease by<br>5% annually.<br>• The cost of road crashes per kilometer driven should decrease by<br>5% annually, excluding inflation.<br>The Plan also includes several sub targets as well as targets on key safety<br>performance indicators, for example on:<br>• Speeding<br>• Driving under the influence of alcohol<br>• Use of seatbelt and safety equipment<br>• Use of smartphone while driving<br>• Safer infrastructure<br>• Safer vehicles | Average for 2015-19 |  |  |  |
| Ireland    | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030 from 144 to 72 or<br>lower<br>• Reduce by 50% the number of serious injuries by 2030, from 1 259 to<br>630 or lower.<br>The strategy is divided into three phases (Phase 1 = 2021-24, Phase 2 = 2025‑27,<br>Phase 3 = 2028-30) and the targets for the end of Phase 1 are to:<br>• Reduce by 15% the number of road deaths, from 144 to 122 or lower<br>• Reduce by 10% the number of serious injuries from 1 259 to 1 133 or<br>lower.<br>The strategy commits to achieving Vision Zero in Ireland by 2050.                                                                                                                                                    | Average for 2017-19 |  |  |  |
| Italy      | • Reduce by 50 % the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.<br>A linear decrease in both deaths and serious injuries is hypothesised over the<br>decade, with interim monitoring in 2024 and 2027.<br>Specific targets in terms of reduction of the total number of fatalities have<br>been set for some road users: children, young drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists,<br>pedestrians and people over 65.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 2019                |  |  |  |
| Japan      | • Fewer than 2 000 road deaths (within 24 hours) by 2025 (corresponding<br>to a reduction by 30% compared to 2020)<br>• Fewer than 22 000 serious injuries by 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |                     |  |  |  |
| Korea      | • Reach less than 1 800 road deaths, is a 38% reduction from the number<br>in 2021.<br>The target is in line with the United Nations goal to halve road deaths by 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                     |  |  |  |
| Latvia     | • Fewer than 50 deaths annually by 2030 (there were 141 road deaths in<br>2021)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                     |  |  |  |
| Luxembourg | • Reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.<br>This target follows the objectives of the European Commission's Decade of<br>Action 2021-2030 as well as the United Nations target for the same period.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |                     |  |  |  |
| Mexico     | Not yet defined.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                     |  |  |  |
| Morocco    | • Reduce by 50% road deaths by 2026.<br>2015<br>There are specific targets for pedestrians, powered two- and three-wheelers,<br>children, single-vehicle crashes and commercial transport.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |                     |  |  |  |

| Country        | Target                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Baseline year(s)    |  |
|----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--|
| Netherlands    | The 2030 road safety strategy in general aims at zero fatalities and injuries by<br>2050.<br>At this moment politicians are debating an intermediate goal of a reduction of<br>50% in serious injuries and fatalities by 2030 as well as the reference year.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                     |  |
| New Zealand    | New Zealand has no quantitative target.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                     |  |
| Norway         | In 2030, the number of killed or seriously injured in road traffic should be<br>maximum 350, with no more than 50 fatalities.<br>There should be zero fatality from road traffic crashes in 2050.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |                     |  |
| Poland         | • To reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by<br>2030.<br>There are specific targets for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists,<br>moped and motorcyclists riders) and alcohol-related fatalities.<br>There are also interim targets for each year of the programme.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 2019                |  |
| Portugal       | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030.<br>• Reduce by 50% the number of MAIS3+ serious injuries by 2030                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 2019                |  |
| Serbia         | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.<br>• 0 children killed in traffic from 2030.<br>There are specific targets per pillar, as well as interim targets for specific year<br>before 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 2019                |  |
| Slovenia       | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |                     |  |
| Spain          | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.<br>There is a long-term target of zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.<br>No intermediate targets are explicitly set, but a linear reduction up to the final<br>target is implicitly used as reference value for the year to year decrease in the<br>figures.<br>There are specific targets in terms of reduction of the total number of deaths<br>and serious injuries, for the different road users, types of roads, and age<br>groups. | 2019                |  |
| Sweden         | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030, with a maximum of<br>133 road deaths in 2030<br>• Reduce by 25% the number of serious injuries by 2030.<br>There are some more specific targets:<br>• 25% reduction in seriously injured pedestrians falling (single) by 2030<br>• 25% reduction in seriously injured cyclists in single crashes by 2030<br>A quantification of the target to reduce road deaths due to suicides (including<br>jumping from bridges) may come at a later stage.                          | Average for 2017-19 |  |
| Switzerland    | • Maximum 100 fatalities and 2 500 seriously injured per year by 2030 on<br>Swiss roads.<br>• Maximum 25 fatalities and 500 seriously injured among<br>human‑powered forms of mobility per year by 2030 on Swiss roads (e.g.<br>pedestrians, bicycles and e-bikes, scooters and e-scooters, inline skates<br>or skateboards).                                                                                                                                                                                               |                     |  |
| United Kingdom | Targets not yet defined.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                     |  |
| United States  | The 2022-26 Strategic Plan includes the target to reduce by 66% motor vehicle<br>related fatalities by 2040 to demonstrate progress to achieve zero roadway<br>fatalities.<br>The national strategy includes a summary of the key actions the Department<br>will take over the next three years to work towards the ambitious long-term<br>goal of reaching zero roadway fatalities.                                                                                                                                        |                     |  |

### <span id="page-75-0"></span>**Acknowledgements**

- Authors: Véronique Feypell and Rachele Poggi (ITF)
- Editors: Camille Larmanou and Ronan Mac Erlaine (ITF)
- Designer: Renaud Madignier

The ITF is grateful to all the members of the IRTAD Group for their contributions to this report.

### <span id="page-76-0"></span>**IRTAD members**

More than 80 institutes worldwide are members of the IRTAD Group, representing an extensive range of public and private organisations with a direct interest in road safety.

IRTAD Group Chair: Dominique Mignot (France)

| Argentina              | National Road Safety Agency (ANSV)                                                                                           |
|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                        |                                                                                                                              |
| Australia              | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts                                   |
| Austria                | AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH                                                                                    |
|                        | Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit (KFV)                                                                                      |
| Belgium                | Vias Institute                                                                                                               |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Ministry of Communications and Transport                                                                                     |
| Canada                 | Transport Canada                                                                                                             |
| Chile                  | Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Comisión Nacional de Seguridad de Tránsito                                     |
| Colombia               | National Road Safety Agency (ANSV)                                                                                           |
| Costa Rica             | National Road Safety Council (COSEVI)                                                                                        |
| Czech Republic         | Transport Research Centre (CDV)                                                                                              |
| Denmark                | Road Directorate<br>Technical University of Denmark (DTU)                                                                    |
|                        |                                                                                                                              |
| Finland                | Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom                                                                         |
| France                 | National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR)                                                                    |
|                        | Centre for Studies on Expertise and Risks, Mobility, Land Planning and the Environment (Cerema)<br>Gustave Eiffel University |
|                        |                                                                                                                              |
|                        | GIE PSA Renault                                                                                                              |
| Germany                | Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt)                                                                                    |
|                        | DEKRA e.V                                                                                                                    |
|                        | Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems                                                           |
|                        | German Insurance Association (GDV)<br>German Road Safety Council (DVR)                                                       |
|                        | Mercedes Benz AG                                                                                                             |
|                        | PTV Group                                                                                                                    |
|                        | Robert Bosch GmbH                                                                                                            |
|                        | Volkswagen AG                                                                                                                |
| Greece                 | National Technical University of Athens                                                                                      |
| Hungary                | Institute for Transport Sciences (KTI)                                                                                       |

| Ireland     | Road Safety Authority                                                                                                                                      |
|-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Israel      | National Road Safety Authority                                                                                                                             |
| Italy       | Centre for Transport and Logistics (CTL)<br>Italian Automobile Club (ACI)<br>Fred Engineering                                                              |
| Japan       | National Police Agency<br>Institute for Traffic Research and Data Analysis<br>National Research Institute for Police Science<br>Kansai University          |
| Korea       | Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD)<br>Korea Expressway Corporation<br>Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA)<br>Korea Transport Institute (KOTI) |
| Latvia      | Ministry of Transport                                                                                                                                      |
| Mexico      | Mexican Institute of Transportation (IMT)                                                                                                                  |
| Morocco     | National Road Safety Agency (NARSA)                                                                                                                        |
| Netherlands | Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management<br>SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research<br>VIA Software                                                 |
| New Zealand | Ministry of Transport                                                                                                                                      |
| Norway      | Norwegian Public Road Administration                                                                                                                       |
| Poland      | Motor Transport Institute (ITS)                                                                                                                            |
| Portugal    | National Road Safety Authority (ANSR)                                                                                                                      |
| Serbia      | Road Traffic Safety Agency<br>TRSD Ltd                                                                                                                     |
| Slovenia    | Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency                                                                                                                            |
| Spain       | General Traffic Directorate                                                                                                                                |
| Sweden      | Swedish Transport Agency<br>Swedish Transport Administration<br>Swedish Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)                                        |

| Switzerland                 | Federal Roads Office (FEDRO)                              |  |  |  |  |
|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|--|--|--|--|
|                             | Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BfU)               |  |  |  |  |
|                             |                                                           |  |  |  |  |
| United Kingdom              | Department for Transport                                  |  |  |  |  |
|                             | Agilysis                                                  |  |  |  |  |
|                             | Transport Research Laboratory                             |  |  |  |  |
|                             |                                                           |  |  |  |  |
| United States               | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration            |  |  |  |  |
|                             |                                                           |  |  |  |  |
| International organisations | European Commission                                       |  |  |  |  |
|                             | European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)                  |  |  |  |  |
|                             | Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)           |  |  |  |  |
|                             | FIA Foundation                                            |  |  |  |  |
|                             | International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) |  |  |  |  |
|                             | The Motorcycle Industry in Europe (ACEM)                  |  |  |  |  |
|                             | Towards Zero Foundation                                   |  |  |  |  |
|                             | World Bank                                                |  |  |  |  |
|                             | World Health Organization (WHO)                           |  |  |  |  |
|                             |                                                           |  |  |  |  |

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# **Road Safety** Annual Report 2024

The Road Safety Annual Report 2024 provides an overview of road safety performance for the 40 countries participating in the International Transport Forum's permanent working group on road safety, known as IRTAD. Based on the latest data, the report describes recent road safety developments in these countries and compares their performance against the main road safety indicators.

Online country profiles complement this report: [www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-annual-report-2024.](https://www.itf-oecd.org/road-safety-annual-report-2024)

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