Evidencias para la prevención y control de lesiones en motociclistas

Traffic accidents represent one of the main causes of mortality, injuries and disabilities worldwide. This phenomenon is also present in the Colombian setting where its main feature is related to the significant increase of the car fleet over the past two decades, with greater number of motorcycles, accounting for more than 50% of the lesions and deaths from road traffic accidents. The ethics and research committee authorized the presentation of this paper. Its objective was to identify the more effective strategies that will contribute to the prevention and control of injures from motorcycle traffic accidents. A systematic literature review including observational, qualitative and econometric studies was made. Thirty studies published from 2002 to 2013 were gathered. These studies showed the implementation of the use of helmet provisions, visibility measures, control of risky behaviors and application of laws on alcohol consumption as the main practices aimed at the prevention of motorcycle accidents. The present study underlined the soundness of the helmet use as the main measure for the prevention and control of accidents. It also recognized the complexity of this phenomenon and the need of synergy between qualitative and quantitative methods to provide broader explanation. This paper represents a sound conceptual basis for the generation of relevant public policies in search of the reduction of morbidity, mortality and disability associated to this type of road disasters.