Aims: Recognizing the critical role of evidence-based policymaking in reducing road traffic mortality, this study aimed to investigate long-term spatio-temporal patterns of road traffic–related deaths in Iran from 1981 to 2021.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used mortality data obtained from the standardized Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. All deaths attributed to road traffic injuries, identified using GBD cause-of-death codes, were included at both national and provincial levels. Analyses were conducted using Excel (version 2026) and ArcGIS (version 10.8). Age-standardized mortality rates, age- and sex-specific rates, and spatial analyses—including geographic distribution mapping and pattern detection—were performed.
Findings: The age-standardized mortality rate from road traffic injuries declined markedly from 73.0 per 100,000 population in 1981 to 19.8 per 100,000 in 2021. Mortality rates were consistently higher among males than females, with the highest burden observed among individuals aged 55 years and older. At the beginning of the study period, Sistan and Baluchestan and Zanjan provinces exhibited the highest mortality rates; however, substantial declines were observed by the end of the period. Overall, provinces located in the southern and western regions of Iran experienced higher mortality rates compared with central provinces.
Conclusion: The substantial reduction in road traffic mortality over the past four decades likely reflects improvements in road infrastructure, vehicle safety, and traffic regulations. Nevertheless, the persistently elevated burden—particularly among younger age groups—highlights the need for targeted, age-specific interventions, including educational programs and initiatives aimed at improving driving culture among youth. In summary, despite substantial progress in reducing overall road traffic mortality in Iran, persistent age- and sex-related disparities and stable geographic inequalities highlight the need for targeted, region-specific, and youth-focused road safety policies.
Article Type:
Original Research |
Subject:
Police Related Trauma Received: 2025/11/3 | Accepted: 2026/02/24 | Published: 2026/07/8
| * Corresponding Author Address: Yazd University |