- According to the first Road Safety Perception Survey, 97% of the population fails to grasp the real magnitude of road fatalities—underestimating the issue by a factor of 160.
Only 1 in 10 motorcyclists surveyed has the proper license to operate a motorcycle.
Experts say road safety is a shared responsibility that requires collective action.
Mexico City, June 11, 2025 – The First National Road Safety Perception Survey, conducted by Fundación Aleatica for Road Safety, SIMO Consulting, and the University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS), revealed a startling insight: 97% of Mexicans severely underestimate the country’s road safety emergency.
In 2023, the most recent year on record, more than 16,000 road fatalities occurred. Yet most respondents believed the number was under 100—revealing a perception gap of 160 times. Of these deaths, over one-third (6,000) were motorcyclists.
The survey also showed that more than half of the respondents consider themselves very safe road users. However, although people recognize risk factors, they tend to shift responsibility onto others.
- 67% say motorcyclists are the riskiest road users
- 63% blame poor road conditions
- 48% hold pedestrians responsible
Motorcyclists Without Licenses
Among the 21% of respondents who reported riding a motorcycle, only 9% had a proper A1 or A2 license—highlighting a critical gap in traffic enforcement. This lack of regulation is especially concerning as motorcycles are increasingly used for transport and work. According to INEGI, the number of motorcycles in circulation rose from 6.8 million in 2022 to 7.8 million in 2023.
Despite these gaps, the survey shows strong public support for action:
- 85% favor road safety education in schools
- 80% support awareness campaigns and stricter licensing exams
- 73% are in favor of speed cameras and radar enforcement
- 70% back mandatory vehicle inspections
But addressing this emergency requires shared responsibility. Road safety is a multifactorial challenge that involves government, civil society, private companies, and all road users.
A Campaign to Stop Looking the Other Way
Based on this data, Aleatica Foundation launched No Te Hagas (“Don’t Play Dumb”), a public awareness campaign unveiled with the presence of authorities, motorcyclist leaders, civil society organizations, private sector allies, and crash survivors. The campaign is a call to action for collective responsibility in saving lives.
According to the World Health Organization, motorcyclists account for over 28% of all global road traffic deaths. In Mexico, the situation is even more alarming, with motorcyclists making up 36% of national traffic fatalities.
Evidence shows these numbers can be reversed:
Wearing a certified helmet reduces the risk of death by more than six times, and the risk of brain injury by up to 74%.
Bosco Martí, Chair of Fundación Aleatica, stated:
“We named this campaign No Te Hagas because the data clearly shows we’re not grasping the severity of this national crisis. As long as we keep minimizing the impact of crashes and shifting the blame to others, we will continue losing lives that could have been saved.”
No Te Hagas aligns with the UN’s Second Decade of Action for Road Safety goal of halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Strategic allies such as FIA Foundation, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), and the Helmet Coalition have joined the campaign, which features a bold and memorable visual identity.
In its first phase, the campaign will focus on the State of Mexico, where more than 20% of the country’s motorcycles are registered.
It directly addresses risky behaviors—riding without a helmet, using motorcycles for cargo, or texting while riding—through humor and impactful messaging designed to stick. The campaign will appear across digital platforms and social media, with influencer support to reach motorcyclists. It will also be featured in public spaces, including billboards, bus stops, trucks, and toll booths along the Circuito Exterior Mexiquense.
Aleatica Foundation calls on authorities, media, businesses, and citizens to act together in shared responsibility. Sharing clear, evidence-based information about what Mexicans really think on this issue is key to launching impactful campaigns and designing effective public policies.
We are part of the solution. We are Road Safety.
About Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety
We are a foundation committed to making the right to safe mobility a reality for all. Through a multisectoral public agenda, we implement strategic actions that promote safer infrastructure, safer vehicles, and safer road use. Our vision is to become a cultural change agent in road safety, fostering collaboration across sectors to achieve the goals of the UN’s Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. All of this aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, helping build a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.
About the Road Safety Perception Survey
Survey conducted by Aleatica Foundation for Road Safety in collaboration with INTRAS (University of Valencia) and SIMO Consulting. Type of study: Public opinion survey. Data collection: July 2–14, 2024. Target population: Men and women aged 18 and older living in private households. Sample size: 1,500 valid cases. Methodology: Face-to-face interviews at home. Coverage: National, with oversampling in municipalities of the State of Mexico (Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, Ecatepec, Chimalhuacán, Tultepec) and Mexico City. Margin of error: ±3.1%. Confidence level: 95%
Explore the interactive viewer of the First National Road Safety Perception Survey—a tool designed to better understand Mexico’s road safety challenges.
More information: https://www.fundacionaleatica.org/encuesta-de-percepcion-seguridad-vial/ More information: www.fundacionaleatica.org
