Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of morbidity and mortality due to traffic injuries in the population over the age of 14 years living in the city of Barcelona, over a one-year period, using data from emergency department admissions and death certificates. The study offers the first description of the epidemiology of traffic injuries in a large southern European city. Although overall age and gender incidence patterns were similar to those described in other western countries, the striking conrtribution of motorcycle injuries has not been previously pointed out, underscoring the urgent need to implement effective strategies to reduce injury risk related with motorcycles and mopeds.