Trends in Road Traffic Crash Fatalities in Belgrade: A Twelve-Year Retrospective Analysis (2010–2021)

Abstract

The road traffic crashes (RTCs) are one of the significant public health challenges. According to the latest WHO data, about 1.2 million people die as a result of RTCs, making RTCs the main cause of death in many countries. This study assesses road traffic crash (RTC) fatalities in Belgrade, Serbia from 2010 to 2021, utilizing data from the Belgrade Police Department and employing joinpoint regression analysis. Over the period, 1,264 fatalities were recorded with a peak in 2011 (136 deaths) and a reduction to 76 by 2021, indicating a significant annual decrease of -4.4% in mortality rates. Men made up 72.7% of the deaths, with pedestrians being the most affected group (41.0%). There was a notable decline in fatalities among most demographic groups, particularly pedestrians and young adults aged 26–35. The findings highlight a downward trend in RTC mortality, yet the numbers remain concerning. Enhanced enforcement of existing road safety regulations, such as mandatory seat belt use, and targeted measures for vulnerable groups like pedestrians and seniors are recommended to further reduce fatalities. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.