Traffic Accidents Scar Latin America's Roads

This article reports on the recent increase in traffic deaths in Latin America, surging as more cars, trucks, buses, and scooters share the roads with pedestrians. The author notes that narrow streets and poor planning in towns are part of the problem. Recent trends toward more paved roadways are paradoxically also contributing to increased accident rates. The author shares the story of one young man who was injured when a drunk driver drove into a group of young people standing on a sidewalk. Through his story, the author explores traffic deaths as a hidden epidemic and discusses statistics from Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Another section considers the difficulties of gathering data about traffic deaths and injuries; this information tends to be scattered among hospitals, the police, transportation departments, and other agencies. The author stresses that gathering this information will enable the authorities to design strategies targeting different audiences and focusing on different problems. For example, while pedestrian safety may be a priority in large cities, inter-provincial bus passengers are at greater risk in rural areas, and officials need to reach them with a different message.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/01406736
• Authors:
  • Fraser, Barbara
• Publication Date: 2005-8-27

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: pp 703-704
• Serial:
  • The Lancet
  • Volume: 366
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0140-6736
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01406736

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: City planning; Data collection; Developing countries; Fatalities; Highways; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Rural transportation; Traffic crashes; Urban transportation
• Geographic Terms: Latin America; South America
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01042678
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 10 2007 10:03AM