Halving global road traffic deaths through targeted mitigation practices by 2050

Road traffic deaths (RTD) are the leading cause of mortality and represent a serious threat to global health and sustainable development. By analyzing data from more than 190 countries covering the period from 2000 to 2021, we assessed the historical trends and key influencing factors of RTD across different regions and income groups. Global RTD rose from 1.16 million in 2000 to 1.28 million in 2012, then slightly declined to 1.17 million by 2021. Africa and low-income countries continue to bear the highest burdens. GDP per capita emerged as the most influential factor, reflecting the role of economic growth in improving road safety infrastructure, healthcare access, and public awareness. Targeted mitigation practices including stronger education, expanded emergency care, coupled with the adoption of WHO best practices could potentially halve global RTD from 1.43 million to 0.74 million by 2050 under SSP2 scenario. The greatest reductions are anticipated in lower-middle-income and low-income countries, where the need for intervention is most urgent. These findings highlight the critical importance of integrated, evidence-based mitigation strategies that promote safe mobility, particularly in resource-constrained settings, and emphasize road safety as a fundamental component of global sustainability and public health efforts.