MORTALIDAD POR ACCIDENTES DE TRÁNSITO EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE BOLÍVAR: ANÁLISIS 2024 Y 2025-1P

Estefanía Monroy Balza; Diego Jimenes Tamayo; Carlos Almanza Agamez; Orlando Luis Dunoyer Arroyo

Authors

Estefanía Monroy Balza Gobernación de Bolívar
Diego Jimenes Tamayo Gobernación de Bolívar
Carlos Almanza Agamez Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez
Orlando Luis Dunoyer Arroyo Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez

Keywords:

Traffic accidents, Mortality, Public health, Road safety

Abstract

In Colombia, deaths from external causes (such as homicides, suicides, traffic accidents, and other accidental deaths) represent one of the main categories used by the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) to analyze mortality affecting social security and coexistence. Among these, traffic accidents stand out as one of the most frequent and lethal expressions of this type of mortality. These events pose a major public health challenge due to their direct impact on life expectancy and social protection. Traffic accidents occupy a prominent place in Colombia, concentrating a high number of victims, particularly in municipalities with medium and low income levels. In this context, road accidents are recognized as a critical issue, with more than 60% of fatalities involving motorcyclists, according to the National Road Safety Observatory (ONSV, 2024). Following this line, Breilh (2013) argues that these preventable deaths reflect deep social and structural inequities in territorial organization and life protection, emphasizing road infrastructure improvement as a key factor for their reduction.

The National Road Safety Plan 2022–2031 has promoted education and control programs; however, results still reveal institutional gaps, limited civic culture, and weaknesses in public policy effectiveness. Therefore, local scientific evidence is needed to guide targeted interventions. In the department of Bolívar (where motorcycles are a primary means of transport), the situation is particularly concerning due to intense mobility, the rapid growth of the vehicle fleet, and structural deficiencies in the road network. Municipalities such as Cartagena and Magangué show a critical scenario marked by population growth, transport informality, and the lack of safe infrastructure, creating high-risk conditions for the population.

This article aims to provide a clear and updated diagnosis to support decision-making by local authorities, transport agencies, and public health institutions, contributing academic and social knowledge to strengthen road safety and promote safer mobility in the region. The research uses consolidated data from the INMLCF between January 2024 and June 2025, including sociodemographic, temporal, and geographic variables to build a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon in Bolívar. These data are complemented by interactive panels from the National Road Safety Observatory to identify trends and specific characteristics of road accidents, particularly involving motorcyclists and road infrastructure conditions.

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