The United States ranks far behind other developed countries in the cause of death caused by road traffic accidents. While fatalities were declining for decades, they have increased in recent years. By 2021, fatal traffic crashes had topped their previous highs. In India, for example, there were fourteen road fatalities per 10,000 vehicles. The most common causes of these accidents include drunk driving, reckless driving, and improper maintenance of public vehicles. Poor road conditions also contribute to fatal accidents.
The causes of death caused by road traffic accidents are numerous, and statistics can be alarming. Globally, road traffic deaths affect young mature person and children. The UN has set a goal of halving the number of road traffic fatalities by 2020. However, the number of fatalities due to traffic accidents has consistently increased. Since 2000, the global rate of road traffic deaths has been stable at around 18 deaths per 100,000 people.
The NCSA (National Center for Statistics and Analysis) has published statistics on the causes of fatal road traffic accidents. These statistics are based on mortality data for the year 2015.
