WMA Statement on Traffic Injury
Adopted by the 42nd World Medical Assembly, Rancho Mirage, CA., USA, October 1990
and revised by the 57th WMA General Assembly, Pilanesberg, South Africa, October 2006,
by the 67th WMA General Assembly, Taipei, Taiwan, October 2016
and revised by the 77th WMA General Assembly, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, October 2026
PREAMBLE
Traffic injuries are a public health issue with considerable human, social and economic consequences.
According to the latest report on road safety published by the World Health Organisation in December 2023, traffic accidents remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite a slight decline from the estimated deaths recorded in 2010, there was still an estimated 1.19 million deaths recorded in 2021. Between 20 to 50 million people suffer injuries, with many leading to a disability. Users of powered two- and three wheelers represent 30% of fatalities, followed by four-wheel vehicle occupants (25%), pedestrians (21%) and cyclists (5%). The remaining 19% of deaths involve occupants of vehicles carrying more than 10 people, heavy goods vehicles, “other” users and “unknown” user types.
Nearly 92% of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, even though they account for only about 60% of the global motor vehicle fleet. Young people aged from 5 to 29 are particularly at risk, with traffic accidents being the leading cause of death worldwide in this age group.
Beyond the human and social costs borne by victims and their families, traffic injuries also represent a considerable economic burden. The direct and indirect costs of road accident trauma are estimated to account for most countries around 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP), with a significant proportion being covered by health systems.
There are many risk factors for traffic injuries, but some remain particularly significant. Excessive or inappropriate speed is the main factor. Driving under the influence of psychoactive substances – whether alcohol, drugs or medication, particularly psychotropic drugs – is another major factor. The use of mobile phones while driving, which is a source of distraction, and fatigue are also dangers that must be taken into account.
The growing popularity of micromobility devices, such as electric scooters, increases users’ exposure to road traffic injuries due to their speed, the lack of protective vehicle structures and the limited use of protective equipment.
While the introduction of autonomous vehicles may have the potential to reduce traffic injuries, it also presents new risks, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities and challenges in safely interacting with pedestrians, cyclists, and human-driven vehicles.
Road infrastructure also plays a key role: poor condition, lack of maintenance or inadequate design – particularly when the most vulnerable users such as pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles are neglected – increase the likelihood of serious accidents.
Added to these risks is the failure to wear safety equipment such as seat belts, child restraint systems and helmets, which considerably increases the severity of injuries or their consequences in the event of an accident.
Technical vehicle failures, as well as non-compliance with or the absence of basic safety features also contribute to road risk.
In the event of a traffic injury, the speed and quality of medical care are essential both to limit immediate complications and longer-term impacts, particularly functional ones, and to promote full rehabilitation.
Inequalities in access to emergency services and post-traumatic care remain key factor in preventable deaths, further exacerbating the effects of initial shortcomings.
Action against traffic injuries therefore requires a comprehensive approach based on shared responsibility, inter-sectoral coordination and constant attention to individual and collective vulnerabilities.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- With these considerations in mind, a traffic injury prevention policy should be based on a systemic approach that takes into account human, technical and environmental factors.
The WMA recommends that national and local governments:
- Implement the recommendations of the WHO Global status report on road safety of December 2023 and the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which proposes an integrated approach based on: road and vehicle safety, strengthening legislation, rapid access to emergency care as well as the development and promotion of active and sustainable modes of transport, such as walking, cycling, and public transport.
- Adequately resource enforcement of existing legislation.
- Promote appropriate personalised medical assessment of driving ability, particularly in cases of proven chronic, neurological, cardiac, psychiatric or metabolic conditions that may affect alertness, reflexes, coordination or perception. Where necessary, these assessments could result in an adjustment in driving licences, for example by restricting night-time driving for certain visual impairments.
- Require a medical assessment for any driver involved in an accident related to the use of psychoactive substances before they are allowed to drive again. This assessment should confirm that appropriate treatment is being followed and that the condition is being effectively managed, as a prerequisite for the reinstatement of their driving licence.
- Establish and enforce regulatory frameworks and monitoring systems for autonomous vehicles and support the ongoing evaluation of their performance and risks.
- Invest significantly to improve the accessibility and efficiency of emergency services and care, as well as rehabilitation services, without neglecting medically underserved areas and to strengthen bystander first-aid training. This requires equitable access to emergency services, emergency care, rehabilitation, and psychological support for victims and their families.
- Regularly raise awareness of the need for everyone to keep up-to-date with changes in road traffic regulations.
- Strengthen impaired driving laws and their enforcement.
- Devote more resources to research concerning vehicle-related injuries and their prevention.
- Collect and analyse medical data related to road trauma.
- Address the needs of and regulate young and new drivers, as well as older drivers, through multi-sectoral approaches.
- Make appropriate vehicular safety equipment compulsory.
- Improve vehicle safety standards and regulation.
- Require motor vehicle manufacturers to develop effective passive crash protection systems for occupants of motor vehicles and devices to reduce motor vehicle injuries. Before their adoption, industry in partnership with government should demonstrate through field studies that such systems and devices are effective, safe and acceptable to drivers.
- Enhance the overall safety of the road infrastructure, including through the review of standards for the construction and maintenance of roads and highways.
- Monitor local accident patterns to regulate traffic speeds and take remedial action according to the environment and local accident patterns.
The WMA calls on its Constituent members and physicians to:
- Encourage full integration of road safety into public health.
- Work with their governments to help translate scientific data into concrete public policies, and to participate actively in the development of prevention policies, including promoting medical education, improved healthcare practices and public awareness.
- Encourage the responsible use of different modes of transport by highlighting the benefits of active modes of transport, particularly walking and cycling in suitable and safe areas.
- Support research into the interactions between health, medication and driving ability.
- Highlight the role of physicians in providing patients with information on driving ability and the impact on driving ability of general health, medical conditions, treatments, and risky behaviours, in strict compliance with medical confidentiality.
- Inform and advise patients whose health is recognised as incompatible with driving, whether this requires a temporary suspension or a permanent cessation of driving.