25% increase in road accidents during vacations

• May 3, 2024

The Secretaries of Federal Health and Communications and Transport, called on the population to take all precautions during this holiday period of the week, because in these dates increase 25% the number of accidents, said the general director of Protection and Preventive Medicine in Transportation of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, José Valente Aguilar Zinser .

At a press conference to announce the actions and recommendations for the Prevention of Accidents during Holy Week , the person in charge of health in Mexico, José Ángel Córdova Villalobos , affirmed that the measures will be intensified to reduce the mishaps, deaths, wounded and disabled by this cause.

Both officials recommended the use of seat belt and of the infant chair, for children under 5 years of age, do not drive under the influence of alcoholic drinks , respect speed limits and check the vehicle before going on the road.

In this regard, the person in charge of public health in Mexico, Cordova Villalobos reported that during this holiday period the State Health Services will emphasize among the population that will go on the road and clarified, that in case of an accident, they are prepared in clinics, hospitals, health centers, mobile units and ambulances to provide medical care: "The road accidents they constitute a priority public health problem due to the loss of lives, the increase of injured and disabled people, in addition to the costs of medical attention, among other aspects. In Mexico, there are 4 million motor vehicle accidents per year, resulting in 750 thousand hospitalizations, 24 thousand deaths and 40 thousand disabled. "

The owner of the Federal Health Secretariat (Ssa), added that it is planned to apply in this holiday period 120 thousand medical examinations and alcoholmetry, for which there are 90 itinerant modules and 150 doctors. He recommended drivers not to answer cell phones, send text messages, drive fatigued, avoid imprudence and plan the trip according to the weather conditions.

The telephone number was established 074 , which will provide 24-hour service, where users can find out about the conditions of the road, the services of each highway and costs of the road sections.