Motorcyclists Account for 43.7% of Traffic Deaths in Quintana Roo

A damaged motorcycle at the scene of a traffic accident in Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo — Motorcyclists accounted for 43.7% of all traffic fatalities in Quintana Roo in 2025, and nearly six out of every 10 people injured in road accidents were riding a motorcycle, according to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

Of the 8,740 traffic accidents recorded in urban and suburban areas across the state, 3,443 — or 39.4% — involved motorcycles. The consequences, however, were disproportionately severe: 31 of the 71 total road deaths were motorcyclists, and 2,413 of the 4,068 injured people were on two-wheeled vehicles, representing 59.3% of all injuries.

The problem extends to minors. In 2025, 179 people under 18 years old were injured while driving or riding motorcycles without adequate safety gear.

Joaquín Morales Fernández, director general of Prevention Operations for the Public Security Department (SSC), cited reckless driving and family permissiveness as key factors. He pointed to critical risks including carrying excess passengers, alcohol consumption, lack of helmet use, and cell phone use while riding. Young drivers often lack experience and reaction time, he noted, and delivery drivers frequently take calls or check apps while on the road.

“We also have a responsibility,” Morales said, urging parents to prevent minors from operating motorcycles or riding without proper protective equipment.

In response, the SSC plans to intensify traffic enforcement operations, including document checks, verification of certified helmets, and inspections of motorcycles’ mechanical condition.

INEGI’s statistics confirm that while motorcycles have become a key transportation alternative in Quintana Roo, they also cause the highest rates of mortality and hospitalization in the state’s public health system.

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By Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx