The evolution of the city of Rio de Janeiro during the 20th century, particularly since 1950, has been strongly characterized by increasing concession of privileges for the use of motor vehicles for both mass (and especially) individual transportation. One of the main consequences of this policy was a rising mortality rate due to traffic accidents during the 1980s, among men and women of all ages. This paper demonstrates that in 1990 only about one-third of the fatal victims of traffic accidents were inside the vehicles involved. In Rio de Janeiro, the majority of deaths from this kind of accident (approximately two-thirds) were pedestrians. Thus, policies aimed at reducing traffic-related mortality should give priority to the protection of pedestrians rather than drivers.
Traffic Accidents; Mortality; Epidemiology; Pedestrians' Safety; Transportation
