A new study has found that road safety outcomes are significantly impacted by socioeconomic inequality.

It has been found that people in deprived areas are at a much higher risk of being killed or seriously injured compared to those in more affluent areas.

The research highlights a clear socioeconomic gradient, showing that road casualties are increasing in the most deprived areas while decreasing in wealthier ones.

Poor income, poor outcomes

This report refers to systematic and avoidable differences in road safety exposures and health outcomes when discussing road safety inequality.
It compares various demographic groups influenced by social, economic, environmental, and structural factors and their relationship to road casualty outcomes.
Integrating various perspectives to examine the interplay of social, economic and environmental factors, it examined the results of databases nd 42 valid sources over the last 15 years.
It was guided by research questions focusing on demographic and geographic disparities, the underlying risk factors, and the effectiveness of interventions.

Key Factors

The study identifies several interconnected factors contributing to this disparity:

Socioeconomic Status

People in lower-income areas face higher road risks.

In England, for instance, road casualties have increased in the most deprived communities, while they have declined in wealthier areas.

Exposure to Risk

Individuals in deprived areas, particularly children, rely more on walking and are therefore more vulnerable to road accidents.

Children in these areas are three times more likely to suffer pedestrian injuries, even when accounting for differences in exposure.

Neighbourhood and Infrastructure

Poorer communities often face higher traffic volumes, unsafe road conditions, and inadequate infrastructure, increasing crash risks.

Research shows that lower-income areas experience more crashes per mile of urban road.

Dangerous Driving Behaviours

The study found that higher crime rates correlate with elevated child pedestrian casualties.

Risky behaviours, such as not wearing seatbelts and drink-driving, are more common in deprived areas.

Addressing the Road Safety Gap

The researchers stress that road safety interventions must go beyond individual behaviour and focus on systemic change.

Following this line, they propose several key strategies:

  • Targeted Interventions: Road safety initiatives should be tailored based on socioeconomic factors to address the unique risks faced by deprived communities.
  • Community Involvement: Engaging local residents in safety planning can help ensure solutions are relevant and effective.
  • Data-Driven Policies: Regular monitoring of road casualties in relation to deprivation levels can help allocate resources where they are needed most.
  • Safe Environments for Children: Creating traffic-free play areas and safer walking routes can reduce children’s exposure to road hazards.

A Call for System-Wide Change

The study urges policymakers to recognise that road safety is part of a more extensive social and environmental system.

Reducing road danger prevents fatalities and creates healthier, more sustainable, and livable communities.

The authors argue that tackling road safety inequality requires a coordinated, multi-agency approach prioritising vulnerable road users, particularly young pedestrians and cyclists.

As inequality continues to shape road safety risks, researchers call for further studies to explore comprehensive, scalable interventions that address the root causes of these disparities.

By integrating road safety into broader social policies, governments can ensure that everyone—regardless of income level—has a safer journey on the roads.