Descriptive and Trend Analyses of Land Transport Accidents for Public Policies in Brazil

Summary This paper analyzed land transport accident mortality in Brazil in 2003 and its trend from 1980 to 2003. Data from the National Mortality Information System (SIM) were used. Standardized mortality rates were used for the mortality trend analysis, based on the 2000 population in Brazil. There were 33,182 deaths in 2003 – 19 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. Pedestrian and motorcycle occupant deaths increased in the period, with the former decreasing after 1998, and the latter increasing mainly after 1995. There was also a differential mortality according to race/color and social condition – educational level. Black victims were more likely to present lower social condition and to die as pedestrians, whereas whites were more likely to present higher social condition and to die as vehicle occupants. The results reinforce the importance of surveillance of transport accidents for health promotion and prevention of these events.