- According to the first National Road Safety Survey conducted by Fundación Aleatica, 18.8% of respondents believe there are fewer than 100 road deaths per year—a figure that is actually reached in just three days.
- More than 40% believe the annual death toll is under 1,000, when in reality, more than 15,000 fatalities occur each year.
Marrakech, Morocco, February 20, 2025 – In Mexico, road crashes claim an average of 15,000 lives annually, yet over 95% of people surveyed are unaware of the magnitude of this crisis. According to the first face-to-face National Road Safety Survey conducted by Fundación Aleatica in collaboration with the University of Valencia’s Traffic and Road Safety Research Institute (INTRAS) and SIMO Consulting, only 3.8% of respondents grasp the true scale of the country’s road safety epidemic.
The study revealed that 9 out of 10 people severely underestimate the problem: over 40% believe fewer than 1,000 people die annually, and 18.8% think the toll is below 100—when in fact that number is reached every three days in the country.
Moreover, people’s self-perception of safety as pedestrians and drivers is alarmingly disconnected from reality. While 59% of pedestrians and 48% of drivers consider themselves “safe” or “very safe,” 6 out of 10 respondents reported having been involved in at least one crash as either a driver or a passenger. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen training programs and implement skill and knowledge testing as a requirement for issuing motorcycle and automobile licenses.
Alcohol and drug consumption was cited by 84% of respondents as the top risk factor in traffic crashes, followed by speeding (81%) and distracted driving, such as cellphone use (78%). These figures shed light on the behaviors that endanger the lives of drivers, pedestrians, and all road users.
The study also exposed a gender gap in mobility. While 64% of multimodal users are women and only 36% are men, the trend is reversed among frequent drivers: 67% are men, while just 33% are women.
Survey Respondents Identify Key Measures to Reduce Road Crashes:
- Mandatory helmet use for cyclists, supported by 79% of respondents
- Banning cellphone use while driving, supported by 74%
Urgent Need for a Points-Based Licensing System
The survey also revealed that 77% of respondents support implementing a points-based driver’s license system as an effective tool to improve road safety and curb impunity for traffic violations. Key findings include:
- 8 out of 10 people agree or strongly agree with the measure
- 58% believe it would lead to greater respect for traffic laws
With strong public support, implementing a points-based license system could be a key step toward reducing road crashes and ensuring safer streets for everyone. According to a study conducted by Fundación Aleatica and INTRAS, countries that have adopted such systems have seen a 15–20% reduction in road crashes, fatalities, and injuries.
These findings reinforce the need for effective public policy and awareness campaigns that reshape how society perceives and responds to road safety.
Fundación Aleatica Participates in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco
Fundación Aleatica took part in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco, where progress was assessed and governments reached key agreements to advance the UN’s Second Decade of Action for Road Safety. The main goal of this global initiative is to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50%.
During the closing session, Fundación Aleatica’s President, Bosco Martí, stated:
“Comprehensive action is needed to tackle the road safety crisis in Mexico. This includes implementing data-driven awareness and education campaigns, as well as introducing road safety education from an early age to build and reinforce responsible and safe behaviors among road users.”
Given the alarming number of traffic crashes in Mexico, Martí emphasized the urgency of enforcing laws through sobriety checkpoints, introducing a points-based licensing system, and leveraging technology to prevent distracted or impaired driving—all with the goal of saving lives and reducing incidents on the country’s streets and highways.
The 4th Global Ministerial Conference served as a critical opportunity to accelerate concrete actions under the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
The event concluded with a series of international commitments to improve road safety. Key measures agreed upon include:
- Strengthening road safety education at all academic levels
- Creating safe zones around schools
- Promoting public awareness campaigns on speeding and vehicle maintenance
- Mandating the use of certified helmets for motorcyclists and cyclists on bike lanes
- Reinforcing seat belt use
Governments also committed to improving road infrastructure and enhancing collaboration with civil society and the private sector to ensure a comprehensive approach to road safety. These efforts include allocating funding to prevention programs and traffic improvements, with the aim of reducing crashes and protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
At Fundación Aleatica, we reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the Government of Mexico and all key stakeholders to build safer roads and cities. Every sector has a role to play, and together, we can make a real difference in the lives of millions of people across the country.
Fundación Aleatica Road Safety Survey
Conducted by INTRAS (University of Valencia) and SIMO Consulting Study type: Public opinion Fieldwork dates: July 2–14, 2024. Target population: Men and women aged 18+ living in private households. Sample size: 1,500 effective cases. Data collection method: In-person household interviews. Representativeness: National, with oversamples in municipalities of the State of Mexico (Naucalpan, Tlalnepantla, Ecatepec, Chimalhuacán, Tultepec) and Mexico City. Margin of error: ±3.1%. Confidence level: 95%
About the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety
Held under the theme “Commitment to Life,” the conference brought together over 150 countries, including 2,500 ministers, UN officials, international experts, academics, and representatives from civil society and the private sector. Latin American delegations included Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Saint Lucia, among others, as well as additional delegations from Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
The conference aims to fast-track global actions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the target of halving road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
About Fundación Aleatica for Road Safety
We are a nonprofit foundation committed to making the right to safe mobility a reality for all. Through a multisectoral public agenda, we implement strategic actions that promote safe infrastructure, safe vehicles, and safe road use.
Our vision is to become a catalyst for cultural change in road safety, fostering collaboration across sectors to achieve the targets set under the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. All our efforts are aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, helping build a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.
For more information, visit: https://www.fundacionaleatica.org
