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As part of World Road Day, Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety has released significant data on road crashes in Mexico, revealing both achievements and challenges in road safety.
In 2021, 355,435 traffic incidents were recorded in the country, according to data compiled from official databases by the National Alliance for Road Safety, representing an 11% reduction in the 2015-2021 period.
There is a marked difference between traffic incidents occurring in urban areas and those happening on the country’s highways. While a total of 340,415 traffic incidents were recorded in urban areas, there were 15,020 on highways, or 4.22% of the total.
Risk Factors on Highways
On Mexican highways:
- 71% of traffic incidents occur as a result of risk factors attributable to drivers.
- 13% due to vehicle-related conditions.
- 10% due to infrastructure issues.
- 5% due to weather conditions.
Driver-related factors
According to data published by the Mexican Transportation Institute (IMT) which in turn are recorded by the National Guard:
- 32 % of the driver-related causes were as a result of what has been termed as “recklessness or intention”.
- 16 % for “failure to keep distance”.
- 15 % “invasion of the opposite lane”.
- 14 % for “excessive speed”.
These behaviors are preventable and present an opportunity to strengthen drivers’ capabilities but, at the same time, aware that humans make mistakes.
Vehicle-related factors
In the case of traffic incidents on highways and their relation to vehicle-related aspects, it was recorded that a quarter of these incidents (25%) were due to poor mechanical conditions.
In the same sense, 21.1 % were attributed to deficient tires, 11.8 % to conditions related to engine problems and 11.7 % to the lighting system. These data suggest that vehicle technical inspections and inspections that can be performed by users are actions that can prevent serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Factors related to road infrastructure design
According to the characteristics of roads in terms of their horizontal alignment – straight, curved, junctions, intersections – 81% of traffic events occur in situations where the road design corresponds to a “straight”, 10.5% in sharp curves and 5.7% in sharp curves. These data show that there is no less risk due to the fact that they are straights where visibility is usually better compared to curves.
As for vertical alignment – slope, level, crest or swing – 66 % of the traffic events occur in “level” conditions but 33.4 % on slopes. The latter data suggests that speeding, overweight and mechanical conditions may be determining factors in the occurrence of traffic accidents.
Risk factors related to infrastructure conditions
Wet and slippery pavement are the main conditions conducive to the occurrence of traffic events on the roads with 23.7% and 15.7% respectively. These situations can be aggravated precisely by tire failure, inadequate speed, among other factors related to the driver and the vehicle. In lesser proportion, situations related to objects on the road or the irruption of animals on the road are recorded.
In the period 2015 to 2021, road traffic events have gone from 17,264 to 15020 which represents a reduction of 13 %. Despite the downward trend in road traffic incidents on the road, these data highlight the continued need to improve road safety and promote responsible behaviors among drivers, as well as to monitor road conditions to ensure safe traffic.
Accident Reduction Program (ARP)
At Aleatica, we are working on a Crash Reduction Program (2020-2024), an initiative that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the second Decade for Road Safety 2021-2030. This program, which is part of the Safety First Plan, represents an investment of 1.4 billion pesos and aims to reduce the number of road incidents.
Since its implementation, the program has achieved significant results in just two years of full operation, as it has managed to reduce traffic incidents with injuries by 16% and fatalities by 14%, which demonstrates its effectiveness in improving road safety.
The program focuses on two fundamental pillars: infrastructure and users + vehicles. With regard to users, the program seeks to ensure that drivers know their health status by means of tests for triglycerides, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight, among others. Modules have also been installed to perform mechanical inspections of vehicles.
As part of its efforts, Aleatica carries out rapid response drills in the event of traffic incidents, in collaboration with various companies and security forces. In addition, studies on the transport of dangerous goods have been carried out to address safety in this critical area.
Aleatica has launched the outreach and awareness campaign “Palomea tu Seguridad”, which encourages users to carry out a check before hitting the road. This includes marking the route, checking the unit and vehicle, assessing their health and making sure they are rested. The goal is to reduce the risks associated with traffic incidents.
ViDA Platform for Road Assessment
Aleatica has implemented iRAP’s ViDA platform, which generates star ratings, fatality and serious injury estimates, and investment plans for safer roads. Currently, Aleatica’s highways have a 3.5 star rating or higher, exceeding the minimum 3-star standard required by the United Nations.
This program reflects Aleatica’s commitment to road safety and its determination to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. With significant investments and innovative approaches, Aleatica seeks to create a safer environment for its users and for society at large.
