[Impact-absorbing and containment barriers: reduction in accident mortality]. / Barriles de absorción y contención del impacto: reducción de mortalidad por accidentes de tránsito.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of the installation of an impact absorption and containment device (Spanish abbreviation, BAFI) on the reduction of traffic accident fatalities at edge crossings in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information about accidents was obtained from January 1,2000 to December 31,2005 from intersections with and without BAFI. RESULTS: During the study period, 142 accidents were registered in edge intersections, with 59 deaths in intersections without BAFIs and five in those where the devices were installed. CONCLUSIONS: The BAFI devices represent a quick and low-cost step for reducing mortality and serious injury due to accidents in edge crossings.