Road traffic injuries (RTIs) represent a major public health issue in Serbia, contributing significantly to premature mortality and long-term disability. This study aimed to assess the national and regional burden of RTIs in Serbia from 2002 to 2022 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) metrics.
Mortality, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated using GBD-adapted methodology. Data on traffic injuries were obtained from the national Road Traffic Safety Agency, and population data from the Statistical Office of Serbia. Analyses were standardised by age and sex, with spatial disaggregation into 25 administrative regions.
Following the 2009 road safety law, mortality and YLL significantly declined (male YLL: 665.2 in 2002 to 489.8 per 100 000 in 2022). In contrast, YLD increased, particularly among females: 43.7 to 88.6 per 100 000. Total DALYs declined moderately but resurged in 2022. Males consistently bore a higher burden than females. Regional disparities were stark: West Bačka reported the highest DALY rate in 2022 (1055.1 per 100 000) versus a national average of 420.8.
While Serbia has made progress in reducing fatalities, the growing disability burden, especially among young adults and shifting regional patterns, highlights gaps in trauma care and prevention. These findings call for targeted, region-specific strategies, expanded rehabilitation services and updated safety planning aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3.6. Serbia must transition from fatality prevention alone to long-term disability mitigation to sustainably reduce RTI burden.