Brazil has a high rate of traffic accidents, which is increasing. A study by the Institute of Applied Economical Research in 2002 calculated that the social costs of traffic accidents in urban areas of Brazil are approximately US$1.9 billion per year. Official statistics show that the occurrence of deaths by traffic accidents in Brazil is underestimated due to the fact that only the victims at the scene of the accident are taken into consideration. Traffic accidents represent the eighth cause of the total mortality in Brazil and the primary cause of fatalities between the ages of 20 and 39. Most of the accidents occur in urban areas. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are the most vulnerable groups. The mortality rates caused by accidents vary within the five geographical regions of the country, with most of the accidents occurring in the southeast. In January 1998, the new Brazilian Traffic Code was released, accompanied by stricter legislation. The use of seat belts became mandatory. The actions taken by the National Department of Traffic, DENATRAN, regarding the National Politics of Traffic are described.
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