U.S. Traffic More Dangerous Than Other Developed Nations

Around the world, car crashes are the tenth leading cause of death, and while the United States is spending money on transportation, that money isn't making the roads safer.

1 minute read

January 17, 2018, 2:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Slow Turn Box

Chris Hamby / Flickr

The World Resources Institute joined with the World Bank to create a report on traffic deaths around the world. "Despite having more resources to tackle road redesigns and reduce traffic fatalities, the United States isn’t keeping up with many of its peer nations when it comes to creating safer streets," Patrick Sisson reports for Curbed.

The problem isn't a lack of knowledge about what works to make the roads safer, those measures are well-documented. "Lowering driving speeds to reduce fatal accidents; designing safer crossings, roadways, and sidewalks to make travel safer for pedestrians and cyclists; building safer infrastructure, such as roundabouts, and funding more public transportation," Sisson reports.

There are bright spots. When Vision Zero plans are undertaken seriously, and not in name only, cities around the country have seen results. "U.S. planners have a tool kit that’s worked in other countries, says Welle, proven solutions that can aid in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities: fixing and adding sidewalks, roundabouts, and bike lanes; initiating traffic calming measures; funding more high-quality public transport; legislating for safer vehicles; and funding faster emergency room response," Sisson writes. 

Friday, January 12, 2018 in Curbed

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

15 minutes ago - InTransition Magazine

Row of older brick houses in Detroit with front porches and front lawns.

Detroit Says Problems With Property Tax Assessments are Fixed. Advocates Disagree.

With higher-valued properties under assessed and lower-valued properties over assessed, advocates say there's still a problem with Detroit's property tax system.

2 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette