Brasília, May 31, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The World Health Organization (WHO) calculates that each year 1.2 million people around the world are killed in traffic accidents, and about half of the victims are between 15 and 44 years old, which represents a high economic cost for countries. Although the majority of vehicles is concentrated in developed countries, the developing countries register the greatest number of deaths due to traffic violence. In Brazil it is estimated that about 40 thousand people will lose their lives this year in traffic accidents.

According to data from the Secretariat of Health Surveillance (SVS), traffic accidents killed 32,730 people in Brazilian streets and highways in 2002. Of this total, the majority were men (26,279 deaths, or 81.5%). According to specialists from the Ministry of Health, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, high velocity, and faulty vehicle upkeep were the chief causes of accidents in Brazil.

Tomorrow, June 1, the SOS Highways Accident Reduction Program will release a study in Rio de Janeiro, with statistics on the number of accidents on Brazilian highways and city streets, the principal causes of these casualties, and suggestions for ways to deal with the problem. The coordinator of the SOS Highways, Rodolfo Alberto Rizzotto, says that "drivers' impunity, imprudence, excessive speed, dangerous passing maneuvers, and disrespect for traffic signs, as well as fatigue from too many hours at the wheel" are the major reasons for accidents.

According to data from the National Traffic Department (Denatran), Brazil possesses a fleet of approximately 34 million vehicles.

David Duarte, a statistician and specialist in the area of public health and traffic, points to various causes contributing to the growing number of traffic fatalities. "Poorly signalized and dangerous roads, bad urban spaces, a fleet of old cars, lack of driver education, and precarious enforcement," he summarizes.

Duarte blames alcohol, velocity, poor driver education, imprudence, and the significant increase in the number of motorcycles on city streets for the increase in the number of traffic fatalities.

Reporter: Benedito Mendonça
Translator: David Silberstein