Measuring and monitoring deaths and the risk of dying from road traffic injuries provides a means of assessing the impact of policies and legislation, highlighting areas where further action is needed to improve road safety. 

Between 2020 and 2021, mortality from road traffic injuries declined from 16.2 to 13.5 deaths per 100 000 population. Although the rate is projected to continue declining from the 2016 baseline of 14.3 to 13.0 deaths per 100 000 population by 2025, this would still fall short of the 2025 target of 10.8. Progress on this indicator is therefore considered to be stagnating. 

In addition to contributing to global reporting, PAHO launched a regional report in 2025 providing more specific and up-to-date information. Nine countries achieved significant reductions in mortality, while 12 countries recorded increases. Rising fatalities associated with motorcycles are offsetting reductions observed in other categories of road traffic injuries. 

Policies and interventions to prevent road traffic deaths vary in their level of maturity across countries. Despite various political, economic, and social drivers that have hindered progress, the health sector can play a key role in reducing unnecessary deaths and injuries by strengthening emergency, critical, and operative care; convening stakeholders; and advocating for evidence-based approaches. Some countries are actively working to strengthen post-crash responses to prevent avoidable fatalities and disabilities, with technical support from PAHO, in line with the regional Strategy on Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative Care 2025–2030. Monitoring of progress on this important commitment will continue under the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031.