Work-related road safety in Mexico

Motor Vehicle Crashes are 6th cause of death in Mexico. Between 5 and 15 years MVC´s are first cause of death, between 15 and 29 years, second. More than 2.6 million MVC´s yearly result in 20,000 deaths, 40,000 permanent disabilities and over 650,000 hospitalizations. 

Statistics are limited. Mexican Institute for Social Security reports 99,726 work-related road traffic accidents among 14 million workers during 2010, with 308 fatalities. Number of registered Motor Vehicles in 2010 was 32,338,820, of which 10,173,656 or 31.4% for official work related transportation of goods or passengers. As other LMIC´s, it is estimated that work-related crashes comprise between 30% and 50% of road toll. 

In line with UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, Federal government recognized that deaths or injuries of wage earners affect well-being of families and communities, and constitute major public health challenge. During May 2011, a multi-sectorial National Road Safety Strategy for 2010 – 2020 was launched, with objective of reducing road toll by 50%. Said strategy was endorsed unanimously by 32 state governors and supported by Congress, which declared 2010-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety. 

Aside the National Strategy, government intervenes in work-related road safety by laws and regulations. Federal accident prevention policies by Ministry of Health. Federal transport safety regulations by Ministry of Communications and Transportation, apply to heavy vehicles with transportation of goods and passengers. Preventive policies for transportation among private or public vehicles fall outside scope of Federal Work Law, which deals with workplace environment. Ministry of Labor is working to integrate road safety into OSH programs. 

National Association of Private Transport works to promote sound employer-based policies, many members have good road safety performance. Private sector employers play key role in improving road safety by implementing practices and policies, communicating and supporting community-based interventions.