Surviving the streets

An IDB transportation expert argues that Latin America’s governments can reduce traffic fatalities quickly and inexpensively

By Agostino della Porta

Charles Wright is a senior economist and transportation expert at the IDB with 25 years of professional experience in Latin America. He coordinated a traffic safety group in Brazil in the 1980s and is the author of Fast Wheels, Slow Traffic: Urban Transport Choices (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992). At the IDB he has been team leader of numerous transport projects and is the author or editor of a recent series of books and technical notes on urban transport and traffic safety published by the Bank. These include Facilitando o Transporte para Todos and Financiamento do Setor de Transporte no Brasil, both released in 2001. Other recent IDB books on this topic include Trânsito e Transporte Público Urbano no Brasil (2000), Sistemas Modernos e Tradicionais de Ônibus no Mercosul Ampliado (2001), and Reduzindo Acidentes: O Papel da Fiscalização de Trânsito e do Treinamento de Motoristas (2001). For purchasing information on these titles, see link at top right.

Wright spoke with journalist Agostino della Porta about the preventable tragedy of accidents on Latin America’s streets and sidewalks.

IDBAmérica: How serious is the problem of traffic accidents in Latin America in comparison with other parts of the world?

Wright: It is very serious. Some estimates put annual traffic-related fatalities at around 100,000 in the region. Adjusted for population, that represents about six times the level of traffic fatalities that you find in most industrialized countries. And 1.2 million people are injured each year in these accidents, many suffering permanent effects and disabilities.

IDBAmérica: What can be done to improve the situation?

Wright: A basic strategy is to improve pedestrian safety and provide modern bus services that operate like metros but cost about 5 percent to 10 percent as much. Pedestrians account for about half of all traffic fatalities in urban areas, and our region is highly urbanized. There are few fatalities and serious injuries to passengers in modern bus systems, which also provide safe boarding and crossing areas for their users and for pedestrians in general. Other important measures are improving the built environment, traffic laws and enforcement, and driver training.

IDBAmérica: What about trams, light rail, and metros?

Wright: They are all good options for cities that can afford them. But in Latin America, few cities have been able to build a significant rail passenger network, and a single rail line doesn’t do much good. Buses are easily available, can be provided and operated by private firms, and are even locally manufactured in some cases. We now have the technology to run bus services with the same capacity as light trains and with greater capacity than trams.

We already have some successful experiences with buses in cities like Curitiba, Bogotá, and Santiago.  What we have to do is to encourage more cities in the region to follow their example, by providing dedicated lanes for bus service.

IDBAmérica: How serious is the problem of bad driving habits? What about more vigorous enforcement of traffic rules?

Wright: It’s crucial to improve driver behavior through information, training, and enforcement.  Electronic enforcement of speed limits and red lights has eliminated a high percentage of fatal accidents where it has been used. Tachographs and electronic devices in trucks can record any sudden acceleration, braking, or swerves that show aggressive or rash behavior on the part of the driver, allowing supervisors to teach them better habits and insist on safe behavior.

IDBAmérica:  What are the realistic options to improve the situation, if we consider the limited resources of the region?

Wright: A synergistic approach would concentrate on providing a safer environment for the interaction of people and vehicles, better public transportation, and the improvement of conditions for the movement of pedestrians. An appropriate environment (such as that provided by wider sidewalks, well-marked pedestrian crossing points, etc.) controls traffic better than any police effort, and it is present 24 hours a day. Efficient and safe public transportation will encourage more people to leave their cars at home. Education and enforcement can improve people’s behavior.

IDBAmérica: Is there a problem with the requirements that people must meet to obtain a driver’s license in the region?

Wright: Definitely. The standards are not high enough for training or granting licenses. Also, alcohol consumption is a factor in about half of the traffic accidents in Latin America, but enforcement of drunk-driving laws is extremely lax.

IDBAmérica: When it comes to practical solutions, what are the immediate goals in the region?

Wright: A first step is to provide good sidewalks. Many urban roads and streets lack sidewalks, and the others are often full of holes or partially blocked by parked cars, vendors, or newsstands. Proper alignment, width, and protection of sidewalks can keep pedestrians from having to walk in the street. At corners, sidewalks can be widened, shortening crossing distances and making pedestrians and cars more visible at those danger spots.

A second low-cost step is to improve bus stops and modify the design of buses to make them more accessible to people with physical limitations. Better street signs at crossings can certainly also help, along with dedicated lanes for bicycle riders.

IDBAmérica: Can you give some examples of countries that have been successful in carrying out these kinds of improvements?

Wright: Holland is the best example. The Dutch walk or bike to most destinations and have a world-class safety record. They have built environments where the automobile is allowed as a “guest” on their streets, subject to good behavior. In our region, first Curitiba and now Bogotá are leaders in redesigning the built environment. In Brasilia, a combination of stronger enforcement and education has taught motorists to give pedestrians priority at crossings.     

IDBAmérica: What is the IDB doing in this field?

Wright: We are contributing on two levels. One involves sponsoring research, conferences, and publishing books like the ones described above. Our goal here is to improve understanding of the unique aspects of traffic safety issues in the region and disseminate successful experiences that policymakers and government officials can adapt and apply to a particular context.

The IDB also promotes these practices through its loan operations. Proper safety design is a requirement for any IDB loan agreement involving the construction of roads or urban transport projects. The Bank is also very proactive in encouraging cities to conduct studies to better understand traffic systems and pedestrian flow. The goal is to encourage urban planning and transportation system designs that provide a safer environment.

Date posted: October 2001

Order these books
(Portuguese only)

Sistemas Modernos e Tradicionais de Ônibus no Mercosul Ampliado

Reduzindo Acidentes: O Papel da Fiscalizaçãoo de Trânsito e do Treinamento de Motoristas

Financiamento do Setor de Transporte no Brasil

Trânsito e Transporte Público Urbano no Brasil

Facilitando o Transporte para Todos (Spanish edition also available.)