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Authors: Maria Camila Moncada, Andrés Felipe Cossio, Edwin Muñoz, Elizabeth Jimenez, Saúl Rivero
Keywords: traffic accidents, motorcycle accidents, risk factor's, Medellin public transport
Abstract: The motorcycle has an important role in the development of the Colombian society and economy; conforming to about 54% of the national car park. According to the National Road Safety Agency, in 2017 939 drivers died, Medellín ranked first nationally, with 41,667 accidents. While 2018 in the country registered 6,476 deaths, of that figure, motorcyclists accounted for 48.3% of the total deaths and 56% of those injured. Therefore, it is important for the city of Medellín to achieve a social change that is aimed at reducing the number of motorcyclist accidents. The risk factors associated with traffic accidents are the vehicle, the road, the environment, and the driver. Human factors are the cause of the highest percentage of traffic accidents, such as speeding; reckless maneuvering; driving with fatigue; not maintaining the separation distance, among others. In this study, the factors that influence the accident rate in the city of Medellín were identified through motorcyclist surveys and direct observation of road behaviors at the point of the maximum accident in the city. The observation showed that driving along the separation line between lanes, as well as doing it in the form of zigzag between lanes is the most typical motorcyclist infraction. From the Surveys, we can infer that the lack of motorcyclist's skill combined with age becomes a risk factor for both other road actors and motorcyclists. Another cause of traffic accidents is not keeping the distance with the vehicle in front and not using directional lights to change lanes or reach an intersection.