Traffic Safety Declining in U.S., Bucking Global Trend

While other countries are seeing fewer road deaths, traffic violence in the United States is back on the rise.

2 minute read

November 7, 2022, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Vision Zero

smlp.co.uk / Flickr

The rate of Americans dying in traffic crashes far outpaces that of most other developed nations, reports David Zipper for Bloomberg CityLab, begging the question: why?

While many Americans attribute the higher rate of road deaths to our reliance on cars, Zipper argues that, based on his extensive research on the topic, “The closer you look, the clearer it becomes that the US traffic safety crisis is not a reflection of geography or culture,” but rather of conscious policy decisions that privilege fast car travel and carmakers over road safety and multimodal transportation.

According to Zipper, this phenomenon took off more recently. In the 1970s and 1980s, the United States could claim to be a leader in road safety as innovations such as seatbelts and airbags became mandatory. “But in the last 30 years, the US has not kept pace with tumbling traffic death rates in Europe, east Asia and Canada. In 2021, as the US hit a 16-year high for fatalities, Japan and Norway posted the lowest number of road deaths since the 1940s.” Pedestrian death rates in the United States rose at even more alarming rates.

Zipper attributes this to a variety of factors, including the rise of car-free and ‘car-light’ zones in European cities, as well as the use of automatic traffic cameras and other safety improvements like road diets and roundabouts. Regulations on vehicle design play a role, too: “The European Union added pedestrian safety tests to NCAP crash ratings over two decades ago, and Japan, China and Australia now conduct them as well. The US still does not.” Other factors include comparatively low fuel taxes in the United States, land use patterns that encourage driving, and poorly resourced public transit systems.

Zipper suggests that the easiest solutions are the simplest. There’s no need to wait for technology to save us. Proven, analog tools for slowing traffic and prioritizing pedestrian safety already exist.

Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Bloomberg CityLab

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

6 seconds ago - Next City

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

1 hour ago - Ohio Capital Journal

Two children and an adult looking out over railing at Grand Canyon.

DOJ Says Trump Has Power to Roll Back National Monuments

The opinion sheds light on how the administration may justify its effort to eliminate protected public lands.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News