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Trends in traffic fatalities in Mexico: examining progress on the decade of action for road safety 2011–2020

  • Original Article
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International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

We explore demographic, temporal and geographic patterns of 256,588 road traffic fatalities from 1998 to 2013 in Mexico, in context of UN´s decade of action for road safety 2010–2020 (DARS).

Methods

Combined traffic mortality data and population counts were analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression, distinguishing sex–age groups, vulnerable and protected road users, and municipal size.

Results

Rapid growth from 1998 to 2008 in traffic mortality rates has been reversed since 2009. Most deaths averted are among young male protected road users (reduction of 0.95 fatalities per 100,000 per year in males 12–49). In spite of a steady decrease over the full study period, mortality rates remain high in vulnerable road users over 50, with a high mortality rate of 26 per 100,000 males over 75 years in 2013.

Conclusions

Progress on the reduction of deaths advances in Mexico, in line with DARS targets. National road safety efforts require strengthening. Initiatives should target vulnerable road users, specifically adults >50 years in urban areas. Strengthening of drink driving programs aimed at young drivers/occupants is promising.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Alberto de la Rosa, Liliana Camarillo, and Maria Elizabeth Rivera for their help with the preparation of the datasets; Lourdes Hermosillo and Patricia Ezeta for constructing the maps in Fig. 3; Hugo Barrera for his aid with the literature review and background research; Cecilia Galas for a revision of language issues.

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Correspondence to Arturo Cervantes-Trejo.

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Funding

This study received a research grant from Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), through their Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) which supports collaborative research focused on promoting road safety globally. TEMA is interested in the in-depth collection, integration and analysis of road safety data to enhance efforts to promote road safety.

Additional information

This article is part of the special issue “Violence and Health: Implications of the 2030 Agenda for South-North Collaboration.

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Cervantes-Trejo, A., Leenen, I., Fabila-Carrasco, J.S. et al. Trends in traffic fatalities in Mexico: examining progress on the decade of action for road safety 2011–2020. Int J Public Health 61, 903–913 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0867-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0867-z

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