Acidentes de trânsito em condutores de motocicletas e motonetas em Porto Velho no período de 2010 a 2014

Abstract

Background: Traffic accidents involving motorcycle and motor scooter drivers (MOTOS) in Porto Velho are a tragic, modern urban epidemic affecting the capital of the state of Rondônia, Brazil. Objective: To analyze statistic data on accidents involving MOTOS in annual reference books of traffic accidents in Porto Velho from 2010 to 2014. Methods: Retrospective documentary and quantitative study that assessed statistic data in annual reference books of the State Traffic Department of Rondônia. Results: Te incidence rate of accidents involving MOTOS per inhabitant in Porto Velho increased from 2010 to 2011, reaching 1,082/100,000 inhabitants, to then gradually decrease to 710/100,000 inhabitants in 2014. Te coefficient of lethality remained extremely high along the 5 analyzed years, varying from 8.2 to 13/100,000 inhabitants. Te rate of mortality per inhabitant reached its highest level in 2010, 12.4/100,000 inhabitants, to then gradually decreased until 2013, when it was 6.6/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusions: Tis study revealed a considerable increase in the number of MOTOS in the investigated city along the analyzed period and a consequent increase of accidents involving these vehicles. Te numbers of fatal and nonfatal victims of these accidents are compatible with a modern urban epidemic, which impairs the quality of life of the population and is associated with high indexes of morbidity and mortality which exert impact on the Unified Health System, social security and the judiciary, pointing to a lack of governmental measures that promote the safety of and protect MOTOS users.