Mexico’s ‘Right to Mobility’ amendment could save thousands of lives

As reported by the WRI Ross Center, in a ground breaking move for national road safety policy, Mexico has elevated to their constitution a universal right to safe mobility. On October 14, the country’s Chamber of Deputies unanimously voted in favor of adding an amendment to Mexico’s constitution: “Every person has the right to mobility under conditions of safety, accessibility, efficiency, sustainability, quality, inclusion and equality.” 

Most national constitutions include the right to free movement and rights to life, health and a clean environment, among others, but Mexico is leading a step further in specifically declaring safe mobility a human right. The distinction reflects growing concern over how dangerous the country’s roads and transport systems can be at times. Despite progress for many years prior, over the past decade, the number of deaths on Mexico’s roads has been increasing. According to the World Health Organization, more than 16,000 people died in traffic crashes in 2016.