On October 6, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in Mexico issued a ruling that marks a turning point for road safety and victims’ rights in our country. The Court confirmed that the mandatory liability insurance for motorists established in Puebla’s Law of Mobility and Road Safety is constitutional.

This may sound like a technical matter, but its implications are profound. The Court recognised that ensuring financial protection for victims of road crashes is not only legitimate but also a necessary responsibility of the State. The decision upholds that this measure protects three fundamental rights: the right to life, the right to mobility, and the right to reparation.

For those of us working on road safety, our main goal is always prevention, to stop crashes from happening in the first place. But we also know that every day, across the country, families are left to face the consequences of traffic violence alone. After a crash, victims often encounter indifference, bureaucratic obstacles, and enormous financial burdens. The reality is that justice and reparation remain out of reach for most.

That is why this ruling matters so much. It recognises that responsibility must be shared, and that those who use public roads have an obligation to contribute to a system that ensures protection for everyone, especially for victims. It also confirms that road safety policy cannot depend on voluntary actions or individual goodwill, but must be supported by enforceable legal measures and institutional guarantees.

Our work in this field has been deeply shaped by the stories of victims and families who have turned pain into action, alongside policy experts and other organisations, under the umbrella of the Safe Mobility Coalition (Coalición Movilidad Segura) that comprises 117 civil society organisations and individuals working on road safety at a national level. Among these people are Ramón Vara and Luz, the parents of my dear friend Manu, whose memory continues to guide our efforts. Their courage, and that of so many others, has made it possible to reach this moment.

At the end of the Supreme Court session, we had the opportunity to speak directly with the ministers of the Court about the scale of traffic violence in Mexico and the urgent need for their continued support. The dialogue was brief but significant: for the first time, the highest judicial authority in the country heard directly from those who live the consequences of this crisis every day.

Just a few days later, on October 14, the Safe Mobility Coalition, together with the Mobility Commission in the Chamber of Deputies, presented a proposal to reform the General Law of Mobility and Road Safety. The initiative aims to establish mandatory liability insurance nationwide, ensuring that this protection is available to every person in every state, not just those areas where local laws already require it.

This approach is not new internationally. Across Latin America, many countries already have mandatory insurance systems that ensure immediate medical and financial coverage for victims of road crashes. Examples include the SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito) in Colombia and Peru, the SOAP (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes Personales) in Chile, and similar models in Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. These mechanisms share a common principle: that those who benefit from motorised transport also contribute to those harmed by it.

These systems have demonstrated that shared responsibility saves lives. They make the difference between a family receiving timely care or falling into debt, between accountability and impunity. This ruling is more than a legal precedent; it’s a step toward a fairer and more humane system, one that acknowledges the dignity of victims and reinforces the State’s duty to prevent harm and ensure reparation.

As advocates, we will continue pushing to make mandatory liability insurance a reality nationwide, ensuring that no victim or family is left without support; and that every driver, institution, and authority plays their part in building safer streets for all.

Find more about us at:

coalicionmovilidadsegura.mx
@coalicionms in instagram and X.

Mexico and its road to justice for traffic victims