Traffic accidents are responsible for the loss of millions of lives throughout the world, and Saudi Arabia is no exception to this tragic trend. According to a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.2 million die annually as the result of traffic accidents and each year more than 50 million are injured and disabled around the globe. In Saudi Arabia, there are approximately 7,100 road fatalities every year and 38,000 seriously injured individuals, of whom 7 percent are permanently disabled. According to the General Directorate of Traffic, the Kingdom has 23 deaths per 100,000 with an average of 19 road fatalities occurring daily. Saudi Arabia has the highest rate of car accidents and road fatalities in the region and is among the most dangerous countries in the world for drivers. In particular, the rate of traffic accidents per capita in Saudi Arabia is much higher than in other developed countries. It is expected that if the situation does not improve, Saudi Arabia may have four million traffic accidents a year by 2030. These alarming statistics call for urgent measures to be taken to reduce the number of car accidents which result in negative personal, social and economic consequences. Human factors are responsible for about 85 percent of all car accidents in the Kingdom. In particular, young people are not taught in schools about driving and about how to behave on the road and they also lack knowledge of traffic rules and regulations. Indeed, it can be said that a very large number of drivers are inexperienced and lack training. The General Directorate of Traffic report indicates that one-third of traffic accidents are due to drivers failing to stop for red lights, followed by 18 percent of accidents caused by illegal U-turns. Other driver-related factors include speeding, sudden stops, using mobile phones while driving, driving in a reckless and aggressive fashion, tailgating other vehicles, and making frequent lane changes. Furthermore, young people do not have a variety of recreational options in Saudi Arabia and, as a result, they suffer from feelings of frustration which in some cases result in aggressive driving and risk taking. Combined with road factors (10 percent), such as insufficient knowledge of the safety consequences of highway design decisions, along with vehicle factors (5 percent) where the technical condition of a car affects the probability of an accident, the situation on the roads in Saudi Arabia is dangerous for all drivers. The cost of car accidents in Saudi Arabia is heavy both in terms of human life and financial resources. On average accidents result in 19.1 deaths a day, and the country spends about $250 million annually to treat injured drivers. Additionally, each year about $6 billion is spent on matters related to car accidents, which represents about 4 percent of the national income. In other words, car accidents create a massive waste of economic resources and health services along with the trauma and tragedy suffered by victims and their families. Swift and effective educational and enforcement measures and initiatives need to be undertaken to save lives and reduce traffic congestion in Saudi Arabia. First, a platform of cooperation and partnership should be firmly established among transportation professionals, decision makers, academic institutions, and the automobile industry. Second, there is a need to issue new laws to further improve traffic safety. Third, more work is necessary to realize tangible overall significant improvements in traffic safety levels along with the use of technology to elevate security. Finally, drivers, especially young ones, need to be trained and introduced to the culture of road safety. Specifically, there is an urgent need to raise public awareness of road safety issues and to educate drivers on safe driving practices. The importance of adhering to traffic regulations and other related matters about driving should be taught in the nation's schools. Hopefully, if all these measures are taken, it will become safe to drive in Saudi Arabia. — The writer is a Saudi academic who can be reached at [email protected]
