Nicaragua

Population: 5 603 190
Income group: Middle
Gross national income per capita: $980
Poverty (% of population below national poverty line, 2005): 48%
Children under age 14: 1.9 million

Road Safety Issue(s):

• 85,000 motorbikes and about 350,000 vehicles nationwide;
• Approximately 20,000 traffic crashes annually with average fatalities around 500 and injuries around 5,000 per annum
  (Data based on estimates provided by Nicaraguan Automobile Club)
• 23% of motor vehicle crash fatalities involve 2-wheeled vehicles
• Mandatory helmet law exists without country-appropriate standards
  (Data courtesy of Injury Free Health Policy and Population Studies, Colombia University, 2009)

Developing nations in Latin America face ever-growing numbers of motorists, many of them motorcycle or motorbike riders. In Nicaragua, nearly a quarter of all motor vehicle crashes involve 2-wheeled motor vehicles, a statistic that indicates helmet wearing is an essential safety intervention. While a mandatory helmet law is in place, the legislation does not address country and climate-appropriate helmet standards, such as the ‘tropical’ helmet standard developed and implemented in Vietnam.

Under GHVI, local government, non-government and private sector partners will engage in school and community programs to address the helmet standards dilemma. The Inter-American Development Bank, the Nicaraguan Automobile Club and the National Police have already made commitments to the Helmet Vaccine Coalition Nicaragua. The official launch of national programs is planned for May/June 2010.