Road traffic deaths and injuries remain a major public health challenge in the Region of the Americas. Current trends suggest that they will continue to be a significant burden on countries’ health systems and development. However, Resolution A/RES/74/299, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020, establishing the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 (Global Plan 2021-2030), aims to consolidate and build on the achievements made during the previous period. In this second decade, countries are urged to implement effective measures and policies to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries, using a safe systems approach. This involves implementing comprehensive strategies that: promote sustainable, healthy, and safe mobility; strengthen the enactment and enforcement of traffic laws; improve road infrastructure; increase vehicle safety; and reinforce post-crash response systems.
This report on the status of road safety in the Region of the Americas (fifth edition since 2009) describes the progress made during the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 (Global Plan 2011-2020) and establishes a baseline for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. The results of this report are based on a questionnaire and legislation review involving 31 countries and one territory. It presents the most up-to-date data available, collected in 2022 and 2023. The objectives of this report are to:
- Present the current road safety situation in the Region.
- Analyze the status of road safety management.
- Present the current status of road infrastructure and vehicle safety regulations.
- Evaluate national legislation on behavioral factors.
- Analyze regional progress on post-crash response.
- Outline the progress made towards achieving the targets of the Global Plan for Road Safety 2021-2030.
