Safety measures can cut road deaths – and here’s the proof

Johns Hopkins report using iRAP methodology shows 700,000 fatalities prevented
By David Arminas May 14, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Paper says that, by 2044, existing road treatments will prevent almost 3.2 million fatalities and serious injuries - helping to avoid scenes such as this (© Nebasin | Dreamstime.com)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says road traffic crashes cause 1.19 million deaths and millions more injuries every year.

But changes to road infrastructure and implementing safer vehicle speeds have prevented almost 700,000 deaths and serious injuries in 74 countries, according to a new report.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US used the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) methodology to assess the success of road safety projects.

Statistical estimation of fatal and serious injuries saved by iRAP protocols in 74 countries modelled the year-by-year impact of the changes over the last eight years and estimates the likely impact of road improvements in 1,039 infrastructure projects - from England and Australia to India and Colombia - where the iRAP methodology and tools were used. It shows the application of the iRAP model will have prevented an estimated 699,768 deaths and serious injuries between January 2016 and the end of 2024.

Further, the paper projects that, by 2044, the existing road treatments will prevent almost 3.2 million fatalities and serious injuries, given the average effective lifespan of 20 years.

The iRAP Star Rating Methodology provides an objective measure of road safety levels built into the road for vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. It presents an evidence-based measure of the likelihood of a crash occurring and its severity. A 1-star-rated road is the least safe while a 5-star road is the safest.

Globally, road deaths and injuries have declined for the first time on record, according to the latest data from WHO, which identified improving standards of roads as an important factor. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 set targets for most journeys to be made on 3-star or better roads by 2030 and all new roads to be built to those standards.

“The Safe System approach emphasises safe road infrastructure as an essential component of its framework, said Abdulgafoor Bachani, report co-author and director of Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit. 

“Consequently, prioritising its integration into urban planning and development initiatives should become imperative in every city, country and region. We are optimistic that this study will serve to amplify the importance of safe infrastructure and inject renewed vigour into global road safety efforts.”

Enforcement Classification & Data Collection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ‘Risky tailgating and speeding rife on UK motorways’
    May 22, 2014
    Six in ten UK drivers own up to risky tailgating (57 per cent) and a similar proportion break the limit by 10mph or more (60 per cent) on motorways and 70mph dual carriageways, with men by far the worst offenders, a survey by Brake and insurance company Direct Line reveals. Almost all drivers say they worry about other drivers tailgating on motorways: 95 per cent are at least occasionally concerned about vehicles too close behind them; more than four in ten (44 per cent) are concerned every, or most, tim
    Read More
  • Pan-European speed checks start today
    August 18, 2014
    Police officers across Europe commence a week-long speed enforcement operation starting today, 18 August. During the operation, co-ordinated by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), officers will use a number of speed detection methods across all types of road. The purpose of the operation is to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding, and to remind drivers of the benefits for all road users of driving at speeds that are both legal and appropriate. "We urge all drivers to challenge their own
    Read More
  • Sernis illuminates pedestrian crossings
    August 11, 2021
    GHSA says night-time pedestrian fatalities grew by 54% between 2010-19
    Read More
  • Tolling is a ‘powerful tool to maintain and manage an infrastructure network’
    August 15, 2017
    Officials have recently moved to scrap tolls on several highways for the first time in 40 years, bucking a national trend toward more tolls on mostly urban roadways to shift the costs of transportation to those who use the roads, writes Associated Press. A regional authority voted this week to eliminate tolls on the Cesar Chavez Border Highway in El Paso. On the same day, Dallas city council rejected plans to build a toll road along the Trinity River. The council's action appears to be the death knell for a
    Read More

Highlighted Content