Impact of road safety on urban mobility: a case study in Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo

Abstract

The present research analyses the impact of road safety on urban mobility in Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo, focusing on public transport as a critical axis of intervention in response to issues such as inadequate infrastructure, a deteriorated vehicle fleet, and the mismatch between citizens’ needs and service provision. It explores specific challenges within the collective transport system, including the absence of a structured urban network and routes that fail to efficiently connect residential, educational, and employment areas; poorly maintained vehicles that increase mechanical risks; and the lack of designated stops, forcing passengers to board under unsafe conditions. Additionally, it examines the conflicting coexistence of transport modes competing for road space without clear regulation, resulting in congestion and accidents, and highlights the public perception of institutional neglect, reflected in limited safety supervision, insufficient driver training, and the absence of emergency protocols. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, the study identifies everyday practices that normalise these risks — such as speeding, overcrowding, and social tolerance of regulatory breaches — and underscores the need for public policies that integrate technical improvements with participatory processes to redesign routes, modernise fleets, and strengthen a culture of prevention.