Global Roads Safer, But U.S. Performs Poorly

A study from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development shows that traffic fatalities across the world have reached an all-time low. However roads in the U.S. are less safe than in 28 other countries, including Serbia and Greece.

May 30, 2013, 2pm PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

"Safety is improving on roads around the world -- but mostly for drivers and passengers in wealthier countries," reports Alex Goldmark. "A study [PDF] from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development's transportation arm finds that although 2012 was a record low year for traffic fatalities, safety for pedestrians isn't increasing as fast as it is car occupants. And the U.S. still ranks poorly compared to other well-off countries."

"In 2011, U.S. fatalities for people in passenger cars fell by 4.1 percent -- but deaths increased for just about everyone else. According to [Veronique Feypell, the study's author], 'there was an increase in fatalities among cyclists (+8.7%), motorcyclists (+2.1%) and pedestrians (+3.0%).' Overall, though, the U.S. has been trending as a safer place to drive, walk and ride a bicycle."

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Global Road Deaths at All-Time Low, but U.S. Still Ranks Poorly on Safety

Published on Thursday, May 30, 2013 in WNYC: Transportation Nation