title: [When and where motorcyclists have accidents and die in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil].
abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze traffic accidents involving motorcycles in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 2007 to 2011 and to identify clusters of high-risk and hazardous intersections in and around the city. Data were provided by the Military Police Brigade and the Emergency Medical Service (SAMU). Accident severity rates were used to identify critical intersections. Two techniques were used: kernel analysis and scan statistics (continuous Poisson model). High-risk clusters were located in the downtown area and on major thoroughfares. Surprisingly, the highest risk of accidents and death occurred not at intersections, but between them. Hazardous intersections are part of routes used to access regions around Greater Metropolitan Belo Horizonte. Two distinct trends in mortality rates and accidents were identified. Most motorcycle deaths occurred after 7:00 PM. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to improve motorcycle and public transportation routes.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Jorge Duprat Figueiredo de Segurança e Medicina do Trabalho, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eugênio Paceli Hatem
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Letícia Cavalari
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Proietti
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012307:Risk Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014505:Urban Population