Road violence and traffic accidents in Sinaloa: Factors and their impact on road safety

Abstract

Road safety in Sinaloa has reached alarming levels, positioning itself among the top five Mexican states with the highest rates of traffic accidents and fatalities. In 2021, 7,114 accidents were recorded, resulting in 289 deaths and 4,901 injuries. This paper explores different theories and paradigms of road safety, from driver responsibility to safe systems that tolerate human errors. This phenomenon is not only related to road infrastructure or driving skills but also to drivers' behavior. In this context, road violence, characterized by aggressive driving, has gained relevance, and this work seeks to explore the theories related to road safety and how aggressive driving contributes to this problem. Additionally, these behaviors are examined in relation to factors such as frustration and stress. This paper also addresses how road violence perpetuates gender-based violence and highlights the weaknesses in the current local legislation.