The situation regarding road accidents in the motor transport sector shows a steady increase in incidents: in 2025 they increased by 8.5% and this trend continues in the first quarter of 2026. Road insecurity represents a cost equivalent to 1.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and beyond economic terms, it translates into 1.2 deaths for every 10 accidents .

To understand the complexity of road safety, one of the commonalities is that it is a multifactorial problem that has various aspects from which it must be addressed and, therefore,  is not the responsibility of one area, but of organizations and their ecosystems .

In light of the above, the panel: “The challenge of changing road safety in Mexico” , held within the framework of the 5th edition of the Safety Summit of Jugos Del Valle-Santa Clara (JDV-SC) , presented various visions from the organization, but also with its strategic partners.

A first starting point is that security should be seen as an investment, not as a cost, a philosophy shared by Juan Carlos Jaramillo, CEO of JDV-SC.

Along the same lines, Alfredo Fernández, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of JDV-SC, emphasized the benefits of investing in security, which contribute to reducing hidden costs such as accidents, turnover, litigation , and even an element that should not be overlooked: reputation.

“A peso saved is worth the same as a peso sold, but safety protects both,” Fernández summarized.
Alejandra Suárez, Transportation Director at Coca-Cola FEMSA, described road safety culture as a long-term process. “Road safety culture must be sustainable; it’s a process that takes years, not an immediate solution.”

Suárez also spoke about the challenge that operators face and that they should be recognized for their work, in all the areas where they must perform safely.

Therefore, in addition to technology, they require precise and focused training to take advantage of all available technological knowledge and tools, which implies creating good instructors .

When discussing how safety is a multifactorial issue, it was indicated that solutions are required from various fronts. For this reason, José Quesada, Global Route to Market Safety Manager at The Coca-Cola Company , described how investment in technology must be aligned with monitoring compliance with processes and the devices acquired, in order to achieve the expected results.

At that point, Quesada emphasized that attention must be paid to the interaction of the methods applied with the operators, where corrections can be made based on feedback received  in an effort to improve the processes.

Christian Guadiana, Director of Transportation at Solistica, emphasized that the industry must move from simply having safety initiatives to a shared road safety culture, one that is appropriate to the nature of the problem. “We have learned from the Coca-Cola system that investing in safety is a way to be competitive . ”

Alfonso Vázquez, Logistics and Distribution Director at JDV-SC, sent a message to all members of his team and their transportation partners, aiming to implement changes starting today, during which various elements for development were discussed. “Let’s make things happen and ensure they align with our teams.”

Vázquez asserted that, while there are operational pressures, all areas must take responsibility and be consistent with the safety approach to achieve change.

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JIUTEPEC, MOR.- Faced with the challenges of urban congestion, an aging vehicle fleet, and rising emissions, key players in the transportation sector asserted that sustainability is no longer an option , but an urgent need that requires cross-sector collaboration, incentives for fleet renewal , and local action.

During the panel Sustainable Mobility of Goods , held within the framework of the Technology and Sustainable Mobility Meeting of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , Isabel Studer, president of Global Sustainability , stated that Mexico must stop seeing electromobility only as a future goal.

“I want to emphasize this issue for everyone because we sometimes forget that equality is an important issue, as is the environment and economic benefits. In Mexico, the domestic market has been ignored. Eighty percent of Mexicans don’t have the income to buy a car, and the vehicle fleet is aging,” Studer explained.

The specialist said that Mexico is a leader in vehicle manufacturing and has one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the world, which impacts both emissions and safety.

“As long as we continue to subsidize fuels instead of clean technologies, we will fall behind countries like India, Indonesia, or even Chile,” Studer warned.

For his part, Gonzalo Peón, director of the Mexico program at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) , shared pilot experiences on the digitalization of urban logistics. One of these consisted of replacing traditional distribution centers with cross-docking points (a logistics technique that avoids long-term storage of goods) in stores close to consumers, using electric cargo bikes.

“The change allowed for a reduction of up to 90% in emissions and a reduction of more than a thousand pesos per month in energy consumption per motorcycle,” Peón explained. He added that the ITDP plans to scale up this model with support from international organizations and is already seeking allies within the ANTP.

Fernanda Espinosa, leader of the Aleatica Foundation , presented an overview of current road risks . She noted that a traffic accident occurs on a highway in Mexico every 33 minutes, and that concessioned highways with infrastructure investment (smart signage, warning strips, predictive maintenance) have up to 70% fewer collisions.

Espinosa also seeks to promote the implementation of the points-based driver’s license as a way to professionalize the sector.

“Eight out of 10 people are in favor. It’s a deterrent and educational tool that could reduce road accidents by up to 20%,” Espinosa said.

Jessica Quezada, senior project manager at Element , warned that 2030, a key date for many decarbonization goals, “is just around the corner.” She recommended maintaining fleet renewal schedules under five years and incorporating telemetry and driver education technologies.

“Good driving habits can translate into 30% fewer collisions and a more profitable operation. Today, the challenge is not only to renew, but also to educate and prepare operators for new technologies like electric trucks,” said Quezada.

For his part, panel moderator Marco Ávila, Director of Transportation at Coca-Cola FEMSA , explained that for him, sustainability in freight transportation involves redesigning models, integrating technology, securing infrastructure, and empowering those who operate the system.

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Betting on decarbonization not only improves processes and efficiency in logistics, it also allows for savings , although it faces challenges such as financing for the adoption of technologies that allow for the reduction of polluting emissions, indicated participating companies in the sector.

Manolo Reynaud, director of Sustainable Development and Public Policy at Walmart Mexico and Central America , commented that the company has the mission of being zero emissions by 2040 , for which it has carried out a series of actions such as incorporating technologies in new stores that reduce energy and water consumption, improve efficiency in logistics and in its processes.

“We have made a big bet on solar energy, after refrigerant gases and the use of electric energy, which is the second source of emissions, we could not reach our goal without renewable energies. We are supplied by a series of hydroelectric and wind farms that we have, but the bet is on solar energy,” he said during his participation in the panel The decarbonization of the Corporate and Industrial sector in Mexico, during Latam Mobility & Net Zero Mexico 2024.

Last year alone, they installed photovoltaic panels on more than 100 roofs, including their distribution centers , saving more than nine thousand tons of carbon dioxide.

Likewise, with regard to last mile transport, they are carrying out various actions, although “we are still in questions and doubts, but we have to continue evolving to go on a larger scale.”

Ricardo Nettel, director of QSE and Sustainability at Coca-Cola FEMSA , mentioned in this regard that they have been operating with electric vehicles since 2015, closing 2023 with 900 units between forklifts and trucks.

“When developing this type of business, we never prioritize the short or long term and we take stock, and it is this transition in which in the short term we begin to build with that industry and how we are going to evolve by making alliances,” he said.

He explained that one of his public goals is that all his operations, distribution centers and plants must use renewable energy by 2030 , and despite the challenges in 2023 they closed with 71% use of this type of sources, while in the third quarter it rose to 81 percent.

Gabriela de la Torre Ríos, head of Zero Emission Vehicles in LATAM at C40 Cities , said that the private initiative has well identified its decarbonization goals , “it has very well planned out where it wants to go and contribute.”

“These actions are an entry point to begin decarbonizing, but also to contribute to the fulfillment of these goals. The private sector in Latin America and mainly in Mexico has been helping and carrying out actions for the electrification of transportation, a very concrete action to do so throughout operations and the value chain,” he explained.

He considered that these actions of the private initiative have to do with innovation, with generating public-private alliances. Although he highlighted that one of the challenges is financing for the adoption of technologies that allow carrying out the transition and electrifying their operations.

Andres Friedman, CEO of Solfium , stated that using solar energy is the most profitable project for a company , since its return on investment occurs between two and three years later, including tax benefits.

“Those who do not seek these initiatives will be less efficient and competitive in the short and medium term,” he said.

For her part, María José Ramírez, CEO of SustentaBe, explained that decarbonization can be a challenge, but it must be seen as a long-term competitiveness and “green” profitability, since companies will not only mitigate risks but also improve efficiency in their processes, operations and costs.

“One of the biggest challenges is financing, the lack of infrastructure and access to appropriate technologies , and that is where the issue of collaboration and strategic alliances with clean energy providers comes in,” he said.

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