Road fatalities are increasing by the week

Traffic jams along winding roads such as this one between Sana’a and Taiz contribute to the rising death toll of drivers and passangers.

When death comes, it takes our loved ones by different means. Unfortunately in Yemen, the roads have taken many people’s lives. A horrible traffic accident happened on Saturday in the western suburbs of Sana’a, resulting in the death of three friends named Khalid, Abdullah, and Redhwan. The three were rushing to attend the funeral of their friend of 25 years, Mohammed Abdel-Rahman, who had suddenly passed away.

Shocked by the news of their friend’s unexpected death, they drove from al-Hodeidah to bid farewell to their colleague and close friend. A cruel twist of fate, however, rendered the young men to lose their own lives.

The number of traffic accidents this past week exceeded 230, claimed the lives of 30 and  either seriously or minorly injured 265 people.

According to the weekly traffic statistics of the General Department of Traffic, the accidents  that happened from April 2 through 8 resulted in the deaths of 30 people, and the injuries were distributed among 140 crash incidents, 74 run-over incidents, and 24 car takeovers.

The estimated material losses totaled YR296,380,000. According to statistics, the blame for the incidents could also have been put on speeding and negligence. 

The traffic statistics of the al-Hodeidah governorate explained that 73 people died and 395 others suffered various injuries in 287 traffic accidents that occurred in January, February and March. 

Colonel Abdel Latif al-Masri, traffic manager of al-Hodeidah, said that those accidents led to the death of two women and 23 children. “19 women and 107 were seriously injured due to 287 incidents. Distributed among them were 105 crash incidents, 100 cases where  pedestrians were run-over, 35 motorcycles crashes, 39 car pile ups, and five incidents where the car lost control, resulting in material losses which exceed YR 684,000.”

The report on traffic safety prepared by the Committee of Rights and Freedoms of the Consultative Council, the Ministry of Public Works and offices in the governorates about traffic problems criticized the lack of interest of local councils regarding the issue of traffic regulation, which said, “it does not lend a lot of interest”.

The report pointed out that most accidents are dominated by the nature of -human neglect, varying between collisions, run over, coup of vehicles. It also criticized the declining role of the Ministry of Public Works. The goal of creating streets and roads to become valid for the conduct of different vehicles was included in the plan.

“The construction phase, characterized by the absence of warnings, traffic signals, optical night signals, trend change and open excavations cause many of the countless accidents which are usually stipulated in the contracts of builders,” read the report.   The report described what the Ministry of Public Works did as “small” compared to what was planned for traffic safety conditions on various roads which was compatible with the enormous budgets allocated to road projects.

The Customs Department also got criticized by the report for its safety and tolerance policies which prevent the importation of vehicles, equipment, spare parts and grade firearms.

Most of the car equipment does not meet specifications and standards instituted in safety requirements to suit the terrain and climate of Yemen, ultimately leading to an increase in accidents, added the report.

The Ministry of Public Health and Population also blamed the increase of injuries to its indirect contribution to the level of traffic safety. The time it takes ambulances to reach the site of an accident takes far too long, and there is a lack of emergency vehicles on highways, according to the report.

Over the past year, traffic accidents have caused the death of 2,927 people. 15,559 accidents occurred with injuries due to these incidents exceeding 19,000, all resulting in a combined total loss of YR31.7 billion.

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