The General Picture

The General Picture: A Decline in Most Countries, But Goals Remain Distant

Between 2012 and 2022, the long-term trend is downward in most countries included in the report. Many countries have significantly reduced the number of traffic-related deaths compared to a decade ago. However, the critical point emphasized by the report is this: 

The goal of "halving deaths" has been achieved in very few countries.

Additionally, the years 2020–2021 distort the statistics with unusually low death numbers due to pandemic restrictions; 2022 data confirms that these two years were an "exception" and that the years 2012–2019 and 2022 demonstrate the true shape of the trend.

Countries Making the Most Progress

When we look at the data, we see that some countries have made a real leap forward:

• Lithuania: Has reduced road deaths by approximately 60% between 2012–2022 (annual average decrease -8.8%).

• Korea (South Korea): A 49% reduction in the same period; annual average -6.6%.
• Poland: 46.9% reduction in road deaths; annual average -6.1%.
• Japan: Approximately 38.9% reduction; annual average -4.8%.
• Countries like Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, and Greece are other examples achieving a decline of over 30%.

Road Safety Annual Report 2023

Common characteristics of these countries:

• Strict and consistently enforced policies regarding speed management, alcohol control, and seat belt and helmet use.

• Infrastructure and speed reduction measures targeted at pedestrians and cyclists.

• Long-term national road safety strategies that persist even through changes in government.

Stagnating Countries: The Danger of the Plateau

• The report highlights that the trend in some countries is oscillating around a "plateau"—a flat level. Specifically:
• In countries such as Chile, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the data from 2012–2019 and 2022 do not show a clear downward trend when the 2020–2021 period is excluded.

• These countries generally made significant progress during the 1990–2010 period but have reached a point of saturation in the last decade where the "easy wins" have been exhausted.

This situation tells us the following: After implementing classic measures such as basic seat belts, speed limits, and BAC limits, it is necessary to focus on more difficult, behavior-oriented areas (distracted driving, fatigue, aging drivers, motorcyclists, micro-mobility, etc.). Otherwise, death tolls remain stuck at a "high but stable" level.

Road Safety Annual Report 2023

Trends Moving in the Wrong Direction: Countries Raising Alarms

Perhaps the most striking section of the report concerns countries where the long-term trend is upward:

Colombia, Costa Rica, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States.

The figures in the table clearly demonstrate this increase:

• Colombia: 50.9% more road deaths compared to 2012; an average annual increase of 4.2%.

• USA: 26.7% increase between 2012–2022; average annual increase 2.4%.

• Netherlands: 14.6% increase in 10 years; annual average 1.4%.

• New Zealand: 21.8% increase; annual average 2.0%.

• Israel and Costa Rica are on a similar upward trend.

In these countries:

• The motor vehicle fleet is growing,

• Total travel volume and, in particular, alternative high-risk modes (motorcycles, bicycles, e-scooters) are increasing,

• Factors such as alcohol, drugs, and distracted driving (especially phones) are becoming more prominent.

The US example is unique: A serious increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths, the proliferation of heavy and high vehicles like SUVs/pick-ups, a tendency towards speeding, and the combination of alcohol/drugs are cited as key factors explaining this rise.