Aim Describe main characteristics associated with mortality in pedestrian injuries in Morelos, Mexico between 1998 and 2007.

Methods We made a descriptive cross-sectional study of pedestrian fatalities occurred in 33 municipalities of Morelos State, Mexico, data were collected from official death certificates available in the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI) between 1998 and 2007; variables such as sex, age, marital status, education, occupation, time and place of occurrence of the event were included in analysis. Trend analysis was obtained, specific rates by age and sex.

Results 703 pedestrian fatalities occurred on the period selected in Morelos, with a rate of 4.1/100 000 inhabitants. Was three times higher in men than in women; although the average age was 25 years, the rate increased with age; more than 60% of affected were single, widowed or separated, 70% had no healthcare; most of the deaths occurred in people with low education, they were unemployed, workers or peasants; the frequency of events were (34.7%) from 2:00 to 7:00 and (46%) from 7:00 to 13:00. 60% of deaths occurred in cities over 100 000 inhabitants, 58% in Cuernavaca and Cuautla, metropolitan areas.

Conclusions Pedestrian fatalities rate remained constant for a 10-year period; they were concentrated in urban centres, the mortality risk increased with age and most affected were people without social security. At the time of the study were not designed public policies that had promoted road safety, to control or prevent this public health problem.