[Impact-absorbing and containment barriers: reduction in accident mortality].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of the installation of an impact absorption and containment device (Spanish abbreviation, BAFI) on the reduction of traffic accident fatalities at edge crossings in the city of Monterrey, Mexico.


METHODS
Information about accidents was obtained from January 1,2000 to December 31,2005 from intersections with and without BAFI.


RESULTS
During the study period, 142 accidents were registered in edge intersections, with 59 deaths in intersections without BAFIs and five in those where the devices were installed.


CONCLUSIONS
The BAFI devices represent a quick and low-cost step for reducing mortality and serious injury due to accidents in edge crossings.
Arreola-Rissa
Carlos
C
Escuela de Medicina, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. car@itesm.mx
Santos-Guzmán
Jesús
J
Esquivel-Guzmán
Adol
A
Mock
Charles
C
Herrera-Escamilla
Alejandro
A
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001108:Architecture; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico