New Mobility Law Requires Better Road Safety Practices
Home > Logistics & Mobility > Article

New Mobility Law Requires Better Road Safety Practices

Photo by:   Mikhail Nilov, Pexels
Share it!
Pamela Benítez By Pamela Benítez | Junior Journalist & Industry Analyst - Wed, 12/22/2021 - 12:57

To counter Mexico’s little progress in road safety, the Senate approved the Mobility and Road Safety General Law to guarantee mobility in conditions of accessibility, quality and inclusion, while minimizing death and injuries from traffic accidents.

"We designed this Law to encourage the development of more humane cities in the country while creating room for the coexistence of different types of mobility, leaving behind complicated and risky transportation,” said Patricia Mercado, President, Metropolitan Zones and Mobility Commission of the Senate.  

The new legislation establishes mechanisms and actions for risk management in traffic and road accidents. The Senate’s President, Olga Sánchez Cordero, argues that the new law favors the mobility of disadvantaged groups, such as pedestrians, cyclists and non-motorized vehicles.

“The Senate approved the Mobility Law that recognizes the rights of pedestrians and cyclists and contributes to the consolidation of a culture of safety. Let the streets be roads for coexistence, not for survival,” said Cordero.

The law also dictates a hierarchical mobility order within the transportation of people and goods to reduce the negative impact of vehicle traffic in the economy, health and environment, as it prioritizes the flow of non-contaminant and intermodal vehicles. Its implementation requires the redesign of public roads to guarantee the preservation of life, security and dignity. In addition, authorities need to audit vehicular infrastructure as well as preventive measurements to allow traffic injuries’ victims and their families to have access to assessment, medical attention and damage repair.

Additional changes demand that all federal entities and municipalities "carry out breathalyzer tests permanently.” The use of seatbelts and the adherence to speed limits were also addressed, including theoretical and practical skills driving tests to obtain a driver’s license. “We are forcing state governments to perform information campaigns so that those of us who use vehicles are respectful of pedestrians and cyclists,” said Senator César Romero.

Moreover, a reform to article 44 indicates that estates and municipalities will have to provide free transportation to children and teenagers in rural and insular localities.   

The Senate approved the new mobility law with 104 votes in favor and two abstentions and was submitted afterward to the Chamber of Deputies to conclude its legislative procedure.  

In the past, poor road safety led the private sector to implement initiatives that encourage safer mobility practices within the country. For instance, CEPA Mobility Care has “proposed to aid companies through training to reduce their accident rate by 65 percent using artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience and positive psychology with a special focus on human development,” reported MBN.

On the other hand, Omnitracs Mexico, a mobility and telematics company that focuses on fleet management solutions in security, efficiency and road safety, has discussed its approach to securities issues in Mexican roads through telematics.

“Telematics allows companies to be aware of odd driving patterns. Different monitoring systems and telematics tools allow us to provide timely maintenance to prevent costly damage to the vehicle. Other sensors also prevent fuel robbery and improve road safety. Advanced sensors can even detect erratic driving. Telematics tools also allow companies to detect critical events. These tools help us and our clients improve the driving ecosystem,” said José Anaya, Country Manager, Omnitracs Mexico, in an MBN interview.

Photo by:   Mikhail Nilov, Pexels

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter