With the rapid rise in motorcycle accidents involving professional riders in Brazil, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) recently held a crucial hearing focused on addressing and reducing these incidents. Key figures from the government, labor unions, and representatives from worker federations participated, underscoring the growing need for regulatory policies that support and protect motorcycle professionals, including mototaxistas and motofretistas. Francisco Macena, MTE’s executive secretary, led the discussion by reviewing the longstanding challenges and evolving complexities in this sector over the past three decades, particularly with the recent boom in app-based delivery services.
The Rise of Motorcycle Accidents and Its Socioeconomic Impact
Data from DataSUS, the national health information system, shows a 55% increase in hospitalizations from motorcycle accidents from 2011 to 2021 in Brazil, with the numbers escalating from 70,508 to 115,709 cases. By 2021, motorcycle-related accidents accounted for 6.1 hospitalizations per 10,000 inhabitants, illustrating the growing burden on Brazil’s healthcare system, the SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde). This trend has accompanied a 64.7% increase in two- and three-wheeled vehicles in Brazil, jumping from 18.4 million in 2011 to 30.3 million by 2021, partly fueled by the rise of transport and delivery apps. Today, motorcyclists represent 35.3% of all traffic-related deaths, highlighting the need for urgent interventions.
Regulatory Initiatives and Limitations
One of the key proposals discussed was the need to enforce safety regulations tailored to the unique conditions faced by motorcycle professionals. While the MTE has pushed for measures like mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specifically suited to these riders, challenges remain in standardizing and enforcing these protections nationwide. The “Baú de São Paulo” initiative, for instance, was cited as a pioneering measure for safety regulation. This container system, used to securely store and transport items on motorcycles, has set a valuable precedent for similar safety equipment nationwide. However, Macena acknowledged that many regulatory measures fall outside the MTE’s scope, requiring collaboration with other agencies, such as the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
Legal and Economic Challenges
Beyond safety equipment, structural issues, like accident underreporting and the lack of standardized PPE, contribute to severe physical injuries among motorcycle workers, such as hernias and musculoskeletal problems. These issues are compounded by the fact that many motorcycle professionals operate in informal capacities, making regulatory enforcement difficult. Senator Zequinha Marinho, remotely present at the hearing, emphasized the importance of addressing social security and labor protections for these riders, expressing his support for improvements in working conditions across the sector.
Collaborative Solutions and Future Directions
The hearing underscored the importance of an interagency approach to address the multifaceted nature of motorcycle accident prevention. Coordinated efforts among the MTE, ANTT, and other agencies could pave the way for standardized regulations that account for the unique risks of motorcycle work. Additionally, broader efforts to formalize motorcycle work in the transport and delivery industries could facilitate better data collection, improve accident reporting, and ensure consistent application of safety measures.
While the challenges of enforcing comprehensive protections for professional motorcyclists are significant, the MTE hearing marks a vital step toward addressing this urgent issue. Implementing policies that span multiple sectors and involve a range of agencies is essential to safeguarding the health and safety of Brazil’s motorcycle professionals and reducing the significant impact of motorcycle accidents on the nation’s public health system.