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Road Safety Annual Report 2024

Road Safety Annual Report 2024

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 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
for Road Safety
30
Evolution in the number of
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
targets in IRTAD countries
66
Acknowledgements 76
IRTAD members 77

Figures

17 Figure 1:

Evolution in road deaths by user category, 2023 compared to 2022

19 Figure 2:

Evolution in road deaths by age group, 2023 compared to 2022

20 Figure 3:

Mortality rate by age group, 2023

24 Figure 4:

Road deaths by road type, 2023

25 Figure 5: Evolution in road deaths by road type,

2023 compared to 2022

27 Figure 6: Road fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants,

2023 28 Figure 7:

Road fatalities per 10 000 registered motor vehicles, 2023

29 Figure 8:

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

31 Figure 9:

Percentage change in the number of road deaths, 2023 compared to the average 2017-19

33 Figure 10:

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

35 Figure 11:

Percentage change in the number of road deaths, 2023 compared to 2013

38 Figure 12:

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

43 Figure 13:

Mortality rate by country, 2013-23

48 Figure 14: Evolution in road deaths by user category,

49 Figure 15:

2023 compared to 2013

Percentage change in the number of passenger car occupants killed,

2023 compared to 2013

50 Figure 16:

Percentage change in the number of pedestrians killed, 2023 compared to 2013

51 Figure 17: Percentage change in the number of cyclists killed, 2023 compared to 2013

52 Figure 18: Percentage change in the number of

PTW killed, 2023 compared to 2013

53 Figure 19: Evolution in road mortality rate by age group, 2023 compared to 2013

54 Figure 20:

Evolution in road deaths by road type, 2023 compared to 2013

Tables

11 Table 1:

Road deaths, first half of 2022‑2024 Preliminary data

13 Table 2: Traffic volumes in 2017-23 (millions vehicle-kilometres)

15 Table 3:

2023 Road fatality data compared to 2022

36 Table 4:

Road fatality trends, 2013-23

58 Table 5:

National speed limits on urban roads, rural roads and motorways, 2024

60 Table 6:

Maximum authorised blood alcohol content levels, 2024, by country

62 Table 7:

Seat-belt laws and wearing rates in front and rear seats of passenger cars, 2023 or latest available year

64 Table 8:

Helmet laws and wearing rates, 2023 or latest available year

67 Table A1:

Road safety strategies in IRTAD countries

72 Table A2:

Targets on road deaths and serious injuries in IRTAD countries

Boxes

26 Box 1

Measuring risk and comparing countries

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

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

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.

Road deaths, first half of 2022‑2024 Preliminary data

Country 2022 2023 2024 Evolution in
2024 compared
to 2022
Evolution in
2024 compared
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 - -

- indicates a decrease + indicates an increase

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.

Traffic volumes in 2017-23 (millions vehicle-kilometres)

Country Average
2017-19
2020 2021 2022 2023 % change
in 2023
compared
to av.
2017-19
% change
in 2023
compared
to 2020
% change
in 2023
compared
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

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.

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

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

(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.

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.

Evolution in road deaths by age group, 2023 compared to 2022

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

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.

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).

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%.

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

Number of road deaths

Number of road deaths (excluding the US)

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.

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).

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
637
3 202
638
2 938
593
3 026
563
2 831 2 862
675
2 909
Portugal
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

(a) Data as provided by the countries and not validated by IRTAD.

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

2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 % change
from 2022
2023 % change
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

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)

Road deaths Trend

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Road deaths Trend

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

Road deaths Trend

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

Road deaths per 100 000 population

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

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%.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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%).

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.

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.

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.

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.

National speed limits on urban roads, rural roads and motorways, 2024

Argentina
40-60 (Buenos Aires City has a range of 20
110
to 70 km/h)
120-130
Australia
50 (default)
100, 110
60-80 (arterial roads - increasing use of 40
km/h or lower limits in urban areas with
high pedestrian activities)
100 km/h default although
often set to 110 km/h
(130 km/h in the Northern
Territory)
Austria
50 (sections with 40 or 30)
100
130
Belgium
30-50
70-90
20 for the "living streets" regime
120
Bosnia and
50
80, 100
Herzegovina
130
Canada
40-70
80-90
100-110
Chile
50 (maximum default limit but can vary
90 (rural buses, trucks and school
according to the type of road)
transport)
30 (school zones)
100 (cars and interurban buses)
120 (maximum default
speed limit but can vary in
some sections of the road,
according to the type of road
can be lowered to 100)
Colombia
50
90
120
Costa Rica
40 (except when there is a 50 sign)
40-100 (60 when there is no signs)
No motorways
Czechia
50
90
130
Denmark
50 (sections with 30, 40 or 60)
80 (sections with 60, 70 or 90)
130 (110 for a large part of
the motorway network)
Finland
30-60
80, 100
100, 120
France
50 by default
80 or 90 (90 on dedicated passing slots),
30 (some urban areas)
110 on dual carriageways (100 in wet
70 (exceptionally and under certain
weather)
conditions)
130 (110 in wet weather and
for novice drivers)
Germany
50
100
None (130 recommended)
Greece
50
90
130
Hungary
50 (sections with 30, 40, 60 and 70)
90
130 (110 on "motor roads")
Iceland
50
90 (paved roads)
80 (gravel roads)
n.a.
Ireland
<=60 (can be 60 on arterial roads, 30 in
80, 100
built up areas)
120
Israel
30- 50
80, 90
70 (arterial roads)
100, 110, 120
Italy
50
70-90 (110 on some main dual
carriageways)
130 (110 km/h in wet weather,
100 for novice drivers.
Motorway operator may
increase speed limit up to
150 if stringent requirements
are met)
Japan
40, 50, 60
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
and tertiary streets, 50 on primary avenues
without controlled access, 80 in central
lanes of controlled access avenues and 50
on state highways within urban areas)
60-110 (60 on collector road, 80 on state
highways outside urban areas; 50 within
urban areas; 110 on roads and motorways
under federal jurisdiction)
110 (110 for car, 95 for buses
and 80 for freight transport
on roads and highways under
federal jurisdiction)
Morocco 60 (30 in residential area) 80-100 120
Netherlands 30-50 60-80 100 between 6:00 and 19:00
100, 120, or 130 between
19:00 and 06:00
New Zealand 50 (sections may have higher or lower
limits)
100 (specific sections may have lower
limits)
100 (specific sections may
have limits of 110 or 120)
Norway 50 (30 on residential streets) 80 (70 on roads with high risk and 90 on
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
sidewalk platform)
30 (single lane streets in each direction)
50 (streets with two or more lanes in each
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
each state)

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
0.0 for motorcycle and moped riders
Australia 0.5 0.0 for novice drivers
0.2 for professional drivers
Austria 0.5 0.1 for moped drivers under 20; novice drivers (first three years),
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
public transport, driving instructors, driving candidates, drivers
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
provinces
0.0 g/l administrative maximum level for novice and young
(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
drivers who transport passengers or hazardous goods
Drivers with a BAC between 0.3-0.5 g/l can have their licenses
suspended if their driving ability is impaired
Greece 0.5 0.2 for professional drivers, novice drivers, motorcycles and
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
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
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
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)
0.5 (Scotland)
-
United States 0.8 (except for one state where it is 0.5) 0.4 for professional drivers
0.0 to 0.2 for drivers < 21

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
application | Wearing rate (%)
in 2023 | Date of
application | Wearing rate (%)
in 2023 | | | Argentina | 1995 | 55 driver 43 passenger (urban
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
manufactured from
2002) | 21 (2021) | | | Colombia | 2002 | 67 drivers; 49 passengers (2022) | 2004 | No official data | | | Costa Rica | 2020 | 71 drivers, 63 passengers (2020,
national roads) | 2020 | 36 (2020) | | | Czechia | 1966 | 96 drivers, 95 passengers | 1975 | 88 | | | Denmark | 1970s | 97.5 drivers (2022) | 1980s | 93 passengers above 15
years of age (2022) | | | Finland | 1975 | 97 built-up areas
98 outside built-up areas | 1987 | 91 (2022) | | | France | 1973 (rural), 1975 (urban
by night)
1979 (all times) | 99 drivers, 97.5 passengers | 1991 | 88 | | | Germany | 1976 | 99 drivers, 99 passengers | 1984 | 95 | | | Greece | 1979 | 72 drivers and passengers
(2022) | 1993 | 56 (2022) | | | Hungary | 1976 | 92 drivers, 90.5 passengers
(2022) | 1993 outside built up
areas
2001 inside built-up
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
only
Since September 2018,
on the whole road
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
application | Wearing rate (%)
in 2023 | Date of
application | Wearing rate (%)
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
restraint systems front
or rear (2021) | | | Serbia | 1978 | 98 drivers (2021) | 2009 | 17 | | | Slovenia | 1982 | | 1998 | 78 adults (2018) | | | Spain | 1974 outside urban
areas
1992 inside urban areas | 87 drivers, 83 passengers | 1992 | 93 (2021) | | | Sweden | 1975 | 97 drivers (2023) | 1986; child restraint
since 1988 | 94 (2017) | | | Switzerland | 1981 | 96 drivers, 94 passengers | 1994 | 85 | | | United Kingdom | 1983 | 98 drivers, 95 passengers (for
England) | 1989 (children); 1991
(adults) | 92 (2021 for Great
Britain) | | | United States | Primary law in 34 states
and D.C., secondary
law in 15 states. Not
mandatory for adults in
one state. | 92 (2022) | Varies by State | 82 (2022) | |

Helmet laws and wearing rates, 2023 or latest available year

| | Powered two-wheelers | | Cyclists | | | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--| | Country | Helmet law | Wearing rate (%)
in 2023 | Helmet law | Wearing rate (%) in
2023 | | | Argentina | Yes | 69 riders, 42 first pass.,
21 additional passengers
(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
(2021) | Yes in urban areas | 67 (2019) | | | Colombia | Yes | 79.2 motorcycle riders,
52.7 passengers (urban
areas) (2022) | Yes, for children to age 18 | 22.4 (urban areas)
(2022) | | | Costa Rica | Yes | 97.2 riders,
90.1 passengers (2020) | No | | | | Czechia | Yes | 100 | Yes, for children to age 18 | 48 (89 for children) | | | Denmark | Yes | 100 motorcycles (2022)
96 light mopeds (urban
areas) | No
Yes for escooters | 51 (urban areas)
60 (e-bikes in urban areas)
81 (children on the way to
school)
64.5 (e-scooters in urban
areas) | | | Finland | Yes | 99.7 (2019) | No | 55 | | | France | Yes, since 1973 for
motorcyclists
1976 for moped riders
outside built up areas
1980 for moped riders in
urban areas | 99 outside built up areas
96.5 in urban areas | Yes, for children under 12 | Major cities: 34 weekdays,
40 weekends | | | Germany | Yes | 99 riders and passengers | No | 40 (inside urban areas
including sport bicycles)
34 (inside urban areas
excluding sport bicycles) | | | Greece | Yes, since 1977 | 80 riders,
65.5 passengers (2022) | No | | | | Hungary | Yes since 1965 for
motorcyclists,
1997 for moped riders
outside built up areas
1998 for moped riders in
urban areas. | Motorcyclists: 100 drivers,
100 passengers
Mopeds: 96 drivers and
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
ages in non-urban roads.
Mandatory for cyclists
under 18 years in urban
roads | 21% (2015 observational
survey among cyclists on
urban roads) | | | Italy | Yes, for all since 2000
Since 1986 for motorcyclists
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 (%)
in 2023 | Helmet law | Wearing rate (%) in
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
(2021) | Yes on federal roads since
2012 | | | | Morocco | Yes, since 1976 | 57 riders, 31 passengers
(2022) | No | 3 bikes, 8 e-bikes | | | Netherlands | Yes, motorcycles since 1972;
mopeds since 1975. Not
compulsory on slow mopeds
(max. 25 km/h) until 2022
As of 1 Jan 2023 all riders of
slow-mopeds (speed max
25 km./h) must wear a helmet | 99 mopeds | No | 94 (2015) | | | New Zealand | Yes, since 1956 when
travelling above 30 mph
Since 1973 at all speeds | | Yes, since 1994 | 94 (2015) | | | Norway | Yes | 100 (2021) | No | 66.4 (all age groups)
65.2 (above 12)
78.3 (below 12)
2024 data | | | Poland | Yes, since 1997 | 100 (2021) | No | 25 | | | Portugal | Yes | 100 | No | 48 (urban roads) | | | Serbia | Yes | Motorcyclists: 88 riders,
80 passengers
Mopeds: 69 riders,
88 passengers | No | 6 | | | Slovenia | Yes | Motorcyclists: 99.8 riders,
99.2 passengers
Mopeds: 67 riders,
96 passengers | Yes, for children under 18 | Under 14: 90
14-18: 44
18-60: 45
Above 60: 36 | | | Spain | Yes | 99 riders, 96 passengers
99 in urban roads (2021)
100 in motorways and
rural roads (2021) | Yes.
Mandatory on non-urban
roads for all.
Mandatory on urban rods
only for cyclists under 6 | 33 in urban roads
90 in rural roads
(2022) | | | Sweden | Yes | 98 mopeds (2021) | Yes, for children to age 15
(since 2015) | 46 for all age groups
64 for children
42 for adults | | | Switzerland | Yes, motorcycles since 1981;
mopeds since 1990 | 100 motorcycles
97 mopeds | No for regular bicycles
Yes for e-bikes ≥ 25km/h | 47 cyclists
64 e-bikes <25km/h
96 e-bikes ≥25km/h | | | United Kingdom | Yes, motorcycles 1973;
mopeds since 1977 | | No | | | | United States | No national law.18 states, D.C.
and PR require helmet use
by all, 29 by specific users,
3 have no helmet law. | 65 use of DOT-compliant
helmets (2022) | Age-specific helmet laws in
21 states and D.C. | | |

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).

Road safety strategies in IRTAD countries

Country Strategy
Australia The Australian National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 was adopted in 2021 following consultation and
review. The strategy continues Australia's commitment to the Safe System approach.
The Australian National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25 sets out the key actions all governments will undertake
to 2025.
Link:
https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/nrss
Austria The Austrian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 refers to the Safe System.
Link:
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.
There are also three regional plans and a federal strategy, known as "All for Zero".
Links:
https://all-for-zero.be/storage/minisites/plan-federal-securite-routiere.pdf
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
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
approach.
Canada also has a long-term vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries on the roads (Vision Zero).
Link:
http://roadsafetystrategy.ca/en/
Chile Chile's Estrategia Nacional de Seguridad de Tránsito [National Road Safety Strategy] for 2021-30 was
published in December 2020. It specifically refers to the Safe System and Vision Zero ("Vision Zero for Chile").
Link:
https://www.conaset.cl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Estrategia-Nacional-de-Seguridad-de
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
System approach.
Link:
https://www.ansv.gov.co
Czechia Czechia's national road safety strategy for 2021-30 is titled Road Safety is Everyone's Right and
Responsibility. Both Vision Zero and the Safe System approach are at its core.
Link:
https://besip.cz/getattachment/Pro-odborniky/Narodni-strategie-BESIP/Aktualni-strategie/Czech-Road-Traffic
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.
The current plan's vision is "Every accident is one too many", which dates back to earlier action plans created by
the Commission.
Link:
https://www.faerdselssikkerhedskommissionen.dk/media/eymfxr0n/fsk_resume_handlingsplaneng_2021-2030_
final.pdf
Country Strategy
Finland Finland's traffic safety strategy for 2022-2026 was published in March 2022 and was accompanied by a
government resolution on traffic safety. It refers to both Vision Zero and the Safe System.
Link:
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
Safety Committees (CISR), which brings together ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
France endorsed the target of halving the number of killed and seriously injured by 2030, and the concept of "Zero
fatalities on the roads by 2050" set out in the EU's "Valetta declaration" of 2017.
Link:
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
Safe System.
Link:
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
approach and Vision Zero.
Links:
https://www.nrso.ntua.gr/nrss2030/?lang=en
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
covers the period 2023-25. It is built on the concept of Vision Zero and the Safe System approach.
Link:
https://www.kti.hu
Iceland The new Traffic Safety Plan covers the period 2024-38.
Link:
https://www.stjornarradid.is/library/01Frettatengtmyndir-og-skrar/IRN/Frettatengd-skjol/Fylgiskjal%204%20
-%20Umferðaröryggisáætlun.pdf
Ireland Ireland's national road safety strategy for 2021-2030, Our Journey Towards Vision Zero, refers to both the Safe
System and Vision Zero.
The 2021-2030 strategy is supported by a Phase 1 Action Plan for 2021-24.
The strategy and action plan focus on seven Safe System priority intervention areas, and commit to achieving
Vision Zero in Ireland by 2050.
Links:
https://www.rsa.ie/about/safety-strategy-2021-2030
https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/action-plans/rsa_safety_strategy_action_
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
the National Road Safety Plan 2030.
The plan is based on the Safe System approach.
Link:
https://www.mit.gov.it/nfsmitgov/files/media/progetti/2022-09/20220916_Piano%20Nazionale%20Sicurezza%20
Stradale_Def.pdf
Japan The Japanese government released its 11th Traffic Safety Program in March 2021. It covers the period 2021-25.
It does not refer to either the Safe System or Vision Zero.
Link:
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,
Infrastructure and Transport. The Plan is based on Vision Zero.
Link:
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.
The plan aligns with the long-term objective of achieving zero deaths and zero serious injuries.
Link:
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.
The plan aims to reduce the large number of serious injuries and fatalities on the roads in pursuit of the long-term
goal of zero deaths and zero serious injuries.
Mexico Mexico published the new Mobility and Road Safety Strategy (ENAMOV) 2023-2042 in June 2023.
A new General Law of Mobility and Road Safety was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on 17 May
2022. Its objective is to establish the basis for guaranteeing the right to safe mobility and inclusive accessibility.
The law adopts a Safe System approach.
Links:
https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5596042&fecha=02/07/2020
https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/LGMSV.pdf
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.
The strategy refers to the Safe System and is based on the five road safety pillars.
Link:
https://www.narsa.ma/fr
Netherlands The Netherlands' road safety strategy is called Door to Door Safety (2018-2030). The Road Safety Strategic
Plan 2030 is based on a joint vision on the approach to road safety policy.
The strategy is based on the Safe System approach (named Sustainable Safety in the Netherlands).
Links:
https://www.kennisnetwerkspv.nl/getmedia/ce0099b7-ce77-4ce2-98c8-a7810662ef10/19-093-RO-SPV-Engels_
v2.pdf.aspx
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
three years for tackling the country's most challenging road safety issues. The Plan is based on the Safe System
Approach. This replaces the previous strategy "Road to Zero".
Link:
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
Safety Strategies.
The existing strategy was adopted by the Parliament in 2021 as part of the National Transport Plan 2022-2033.
The National Plan of Action for Road Safety 2022-2025 was developed by the Norwegian Public Roads
Administration in cooperation with a wide range of other national stakeholders.
Links:
https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/fag/fokusomrader/trafikksikkerhet/nasjonal-tiltaksplan-for
trafikksikkerhet-pa-vei-2022-2025.pdf
https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/fag/fokusomrader/trafikksikkerhet/national-plan-of-action-for-road
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/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.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-2023-2030/ 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\_ 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-16002 https://bransch.trafikverket.se/for-dig-i-branschen/samarbete-med-branschen/Samarbeten-for-trafiksakerhet/ tillsammans-for-nollvisionen/gemensam-aktionsplan-for-saker-vagtrafik-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\_OFROU_fr.pdf

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/direktion/teilstrategie-verkehrssicherheit.pdf.download.

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
published. It is likely to be based on a Safe System approach.
Link:
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).
At the core of this strategy is a Department-wide adoption of the Safe System approach. This is the first step in
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

Targets on road deaths and serious injuries in IRTAD countries

| Country | Target | Baseline year(s) | | | |----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--| | Australia | • Reduce fatalities by 50% by 2030
• Reduce serious injuries by 30% by 2030.
As part of demonstrating a commitment to the 2050 Vision Zero target, the
strategy will target by 2030:
• Zero deaths for children 7 years and under
• Zero deaths in city central business district (CBD) areas
• Zero deaths on National highways and on high-speed roads covering
80% of travel across the network.
There are no interim targets, however, the 2030 Target of a 30 per cent
reduction in serious injuries by 2030 will be assessed as part of the mid-term
review of the Strategy. | Average for 2018-20 for
fatalities.
3-year average of hospital
cases for 2017-18 and 2018-19
and estimates for 2019-20, for
serious injuries. | | | | Austria | • Reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.
Austria also has a Vision Zero for child fatalities. | Average for 2017-19 | | | | Belgium | • Reduce road deaths by 50% by 2030
2019
• Reduce serious injuries, as defined by a maximum abbreviated injury
score of three or above (MAIS3+), by 50% by 2030
• Reduce road deaths by 100% by 2050
• 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.
There are specific additional targets:
• Reduce the share of vulnerable road users in road deaths from 49% to
35% of all deaths
• Reduce the mortality rate of young people (15 29) from 2.2 in 2019 to
1.5 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants in 2030.
• Reduce the mortality rate of elderly people (+60) from 1.9 in 2019 to
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
100 000 population in 2021 to 7.3 in 2030.
The strategy also includes three specific targets:
• Reduce by 47% (from 4 526 in 2021 to 2 421 in 2030) the number of
motorcyclists killed in road crashes
• Reduce by 44% (from 1 590 in 2021 to 891 in 2030) the number of
pedestrians killed in road crashes
• Reduce by 37% (from 483 in 2021 to 302 in 2030) the number of cyclists
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
registry)
• Reduce the number of serious injuries to 900 or below (data from the
police registry)
• Reduce the number of slight injures to 10 000 or below (data from the
Danish national patient register).
These figures correspond to an approximate 50% reduction of the average for
2017-19, which is 182 killed and 1 813 seriously injured persons per year.
There are no specific targets, but five focus areas have been pointed out
and will be monitored: single vehicle crashes, head-on collisions, crashes at
intersections, vulnerable road users and young car drivers.
Finland • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
The long-term vision is zero road deaths in 2050.
2020
France France endorsed the road safety targets, decided at the European Union level
in Valetta in March 2017, to reduce by 50% the number of fatalities and severe
injuries on European roads by 2030.
France reiterated its commitment at the February 2020 Global Ministerial
Meeting on Road Safety in Stockholm, which concluded that these same targets
should be achieved globally by 2030.
The baseline year is 2019 since the year 2020 cannot be considered as a
reference, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
• "Significantly" reduce the number of serious injuries by 2030.
2021
Greece • Reduce by 50% road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Additional specific targets:
• 66% reduction in motorcyclists killed by 2030
• 60% reduction in road fatalities on Greek islands by 2030
• No deaths on motorways by 2030
• 35% reduction in deaths in single vehicles crashes by 2030
• Zero fatalities in 49 cities with a population between 50 000 and
100 000 inhabitants
• Being ranked 13th among EU countries regarding deaths per
100 000 population.
There is an interim target to reduce by 30% deaths and serious injuries by 2025.
2019
Hungary Long-term targets:
• Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030 from 460 to 230
• Reduce by 50% the number of serious injuries by 2030 from 4 655 to
2 327
Short-term targets:
• Reach the EU average in terms of road fatalities per million inhabitants
by 2025
• Proportional reduction of the number of fatalities and serious injuries
to reach the 2030 target (345 fatalities and 3 491 seriously injuries by
2025)
2020

| Country | Target | Baseline year(s) | | | | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--|--|--| | Iceland | The 2024-38 Traffic Safety Plan includes three main targets:
• Iceland should rank among the top five European countries in terms of
fatalities per capita, based on a five-year average.
• The number of fatalities and serious injuries should decrease by
5% annually.
• The cost of road crashes per kilometer driven should decrease by
5% annually, excluding inflation.
The Plan also includes several sub targets as well as targets on key safety
performance indicators, for example on:
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Use of seatbelt and safety equipment
• Use of smartphone while driving
• Safer infrastructure
• Safer vehicles | Average for 2015-19 | | | | | Ireland | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030 from 144 to 72 or
lower
• Reduce by 50% the number of serious injuries by 2030, from 1 259 to
630 or lower.
The strategy is divided into three phases (Phase 1 = 2021-24, Phase 2 = 2025‑27,
Phase 3 = 2028-30) and the targets for the end of Phase 1 are to:
• Reduce by 15% the number of road deaths, from 144 to 122 or lower
• Reduce by 10% the number of serious injuries from 1 259 to 1 133 or
lower.
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.
A linear decrease in both deaths and serious injuries is hypothesised over the
decade, with interim monitoring in 2024 and 2027.
Specific targets in terms of reduction of the total number of fatalities have
been set for some road users: children, young drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists,
pedestrians and people over 65. | 2019 | | | | | Japan | • Fewer than 2 000 road deaths (within 24 hours) by 2025 (corresponding
to a reduction by 30% compared to 2020)
• Fewer than 22 000 serious injuries by 2025. | | | | | | Korea | • Reach less than 1 800 road deaths, is a 38% reduction from the number
in 2021.
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
2021) | | | | | | Luxembourg | • Reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.
This target follows the objectives of the European Commission's Decade of
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.
2015
There are specific targets for pedestrians, powered two- and three-wheelers,
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
2050.
At this moment politicians are debating an intermediate goal of a reduction of
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
maximum 350, with no more than 50 fatalities.
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
2030.
There are specific targets for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists,
moped and motorcyclists riders) and alcohol-related fatalities.
There are also interim targets for each year of the programme. | 2019 | | | Portugal | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030.
• 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.
• 0 children killed in traffic from 2030.
There are specific targets per pillar, as well as interim targets for specific year
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.
There is a long-term target of zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
No intermediate targets are explicitly set, but a linear reduction up to the final
target is implicitly used as reference value for the year to year decrease in the
figures.
There are specific targets in terms of reduction of the total number of deaths
and serious injuries, for the different road users, types of roads, and age
groups. | 2019 | | | Sweden | • Reduce by 50% the number of road deaths by 2030, with a maximum of
133 road deaths in 2030
• Reduce by 25% the number of serious injuries by 2030.
There are some more specific targets:
• 25% reduction in seriously injured pedestrians falling (single) by 2030
• 25% reduction in seriously injured cyclists in single crashes by 2030
A quantification of the target to reduce road deaths due to suicides (including
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
Swiss roads.
• Maximum 25 fatalities and 500 seriously injured among
human‑powered forms of mobility per year by 2030 on Swiss roads (e.g.
pedestrians, bicycles and e-bikes, scooters and e-scooters, inline skates
or skateboards). | | | | United Kingdom | Targets not yet defined. | | | | United States | The 2022-26 Strategic Plan includes the target to reduce by 66% motor vehicle
related fatalities by 2040 to demonstrate progress to achieve zero roadway
fatalities.
The national strategy includes a summary of the key actions the Department
will take over the next three years to work towards the ambitious long-term
goal of reaching zero roadway fatalities. | | |

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.

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
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)
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)
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)
Italian Automobile Club (ACI)
Fred Engineering
Japan National Police Agency
Institute for Traffic Research and Data Analysis
National Research Institute for Police Science
Kansai University
Korea Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoROAD)
Korea Expressway Corporation
Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA)
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
SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research
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
TRSD Ltd
Slovenia Slovenian Traffic Safety Agency
Spain General Traffic Directorate
Sweden Swedish Transport Agency
Swedish Transport Administration
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) | | | | | | | | | | | |

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.