Effects of rapid increase in motorization levels on road fatality rates in some rich developing countries

Abstract

Road fatality rates in some rich developing countries (R.D.C.) are studied and compared with those of some industrialized countries (I.C.F.) during the fifties when their motorization levels and rates are comparable. It was found that fatalities per vehicle in both the R.D.C. and I.C.F. relate inversely to motorization levels (vehicles per population). It was also found that the power of the inverse relation correlates with motorization rates. Specifically, slow decrease in fatality rates are associated with rapid increases in motorization levels, the strength of the association being greater in the case of the R.D.C.