AL records 167 traffic deaths in the 1st quarter and Sesau warns of preventive measures | Arapiraca Diary

Writing with Agência Alagoas

Alagoas recorded 167 deaths as a result of traffic violence in the first quarter of this year, according to data from the Ministry of Health’s Mortality Information System (SIM/MS). To prevent more people from losing their lives on public roads, the State Department of Health (Sesau) takes advantage of the Yellow May Campaign to reinforce the importance of vehicle drivers, as well as pedestrians, respecting traffic rules.

This is because traffic accidents increase the number of patients treated in hospital units, impact treatment costs, cause serious consequences for victims, in addition to hundreds of deaths annually, which could be avoided. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness among the population about traffic safety, thus protecting pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and motorcyclists.

Sesau’s Noncommunicable Disease Surveillance and Control manager, social worker Rita Murta, highlights the importance of Sesau in contributing to the search for safer traffic.

“Health units receive victims with injuries and, therefore, traffic violence is completely related to Sesau. We need to raise awareness among the population about the need to adopt more and more measures focused on preventing accidents”, he stressed.

For this reason, during the Yellow May Campaign, Sesau participates in actions in partnership with other bodies, such as the Alagoas State Traffic Department (Detran/AL). To this end, department technicians participate in educational lectures and reinforce guidelines for drivers and pedestrians in the search for safer traffic for everyone.

Also according to MS data, the number of traffic-related deaths between the months of January to March 2024 (April has not yet been released) points to an increase of 10.59% compared to the same period of the year past. While in the first quarter of this year there were 167 deaths resulting from traffic accidents, in the first three months of 2023 there were 151 deaths.

MS data also shows that, throughout last year, 580 deaths from traffic accidents were recorded in Alagoas. Of this total, 488 victims were men (84.14%). The age group from 20 to 39 years old was the one that most concentrated deaths, with 47% of records. Another fact that draws attention and points to the seriousness of the accidents is the fact that 232 people died before rescuers arrived, while another 253 were still rescued alive to hospitals, however, they did not survive their injuries. Of the total number of deaths recorded in traffic last year, 59.3% were motorcyclists.

The causes of traffic accidents are varied, but the main risk factors for these incidents are excessive speed, use of electronic devices while driving and lack of attention. Also causal factors are the consumption of alcoholic beverages and the failure to use mandatory items, such as helmets, seat belts and restraint systems for children and newborns.