Objective:

To determine the impact that the deaths caused by pedestrian abuses and vehicle collisions had on life expectancy in Argentina during the period 1998-2017.

Material and methods:

The databases on the causes of death, sex, age and jurisdiction of residence of the deceased of the Directorate of Health Statistics and Research of Argentina were obtained. Mortality rates and the indicator of years of life expectancy lost (YLEL) were calculated to determine the impact of road mortality.

Results:

Argentina reduced by 13% the number of deaths due to pedestrian accidents and collisions between vehicles during the last 20 years. The road mortality rate went from 12.0 to 10.6 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants between the triennia 1998-2000 and 2015-2017, respectively. Deaths in transit had a greater impact among men aged 15 to 49 years. At the same time, there was a strong contrast in the level of road mortality recorded in each of the jurisdictions in the interior of the country, where mortality rates ranged from 1.2 to 24.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

Conclusions:

Although there was a decrease in the level of road mortality, public policies implemented in Argentina have not achieved the objective of halving the number of deaths. This scourge continues to cause destruction and disarticulation of families residing in the country. It is necessary to implement new programs that aim to reduce the behaviors that violate traffic regulations.