Mexico faces a road safety crisis with an average of 15,000 deaths per year from traffic accidents; however, most of the population does not grasp the magnitude of the problem.
According to the first National Survey on Road Safety, conducted by Fundación Aleatica in collaboration with the University Institute of Research in Traffic and Road Safety (INSTRAS) of the University of Valencia and SIMO Consulting, only 3.8% of the surveyed individuals are aware of the severity of road accidents in the country.
The study reveals that 9 out of 10 people minimize the problem: 40% believe that annual deaths do not exceed 1,000, when in reality, they are more than 15,000. 8.8% think that there are fewer than 100 deaths per year, a number that is reached in just three days. Additionally, 6 out of 10 people have been involved in at least one traffic accident as drivers or passengers, which contrasts with the false perception of safety among those who travel on the streets of the country.
The survey also identified the main risk behaviors at the wheel: Consumption of alcohol and drugs (84%), speeding (81%), and distractions while driving (78%). These factors are highlighted as the main contributors to traffic accidents in Mexico.
The report shows significant differences between men and women in transportation use: 67% of frequent drivers are men, while only 33% are women. Moreover, 64% of people using multimodal mobility are women, reflecting their greater dependence on public transportation and other alternatives.
The surveyed individuals supported concrete actions to reduce the number of traffic accidents, including mandatory helmet use for cyclists (79%) and the ban on cell phone use while driving (74%).
77% of the population supports the implementation of a points-based driver's license system, which would penalize irresponsible drivers and could reduce traffic accidents by 15% to 20%. The majority of the population agrees with this measure and believes it would contribute to adhering to traffic rules.
These findings reinforce the need for effective public policies and a change in road culture that ensures safer streets for all people in Mexico.
