The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reduced road crash deaths by nearly 35% in five years. The fatality rate stood at 9311 [28.8 per 100,000 people] in 2016. By 2021 the rate had dropped to 6651 [18.5 per 100,000 people]. This significant achievement puts the country on track to meet the global goal of a 50% reduction in road traffic deaths by the end of the 2nd United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety in 2030.
In a whole of government commitment to reducing road crash deaths and injuries, Saudia Arabia established a Ministerial Committee for Traffic Safety that is chaired by The Minister of Health, and includes the Ministers of Transport and Logistic Services, Commerce, Media, Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Communications and Information Technology, and Education, as well as an adviser of the Royal Court, and the Deputy Minister of the Interior.
The Ministerial Committee was tasked with key results in 2017:
- Collecting and analysing data for road safety
- Preparing and coordinating strategies and initiatives, and setting key targets.
- Coordinating the work of the authorities across the health, transport and environmental sectors to achieve greater synergies and efficiency.
- Spreading a culture of safe driving across the country with a range of partners.
Based on the best practice guidance from WHO, a series of actions have been taken since 2017:
Establishing a quality improvement cycle using Road Safety Performance Indicators [RSPI]
- Adopting iRAP [International Road Assessment Programme] standards to assess the safety of road infrastructure, with the aim of achieving a minimum 3-star rating for all roads.
- Monitoring road user behaviour to identify areas where additional reinforcement is needed.
- Training 411 engineers in traffic safety.
- Installing 1,300 signboards to to warn drivers of dangers.
- Lighting 113 intersections with solar energy.
Strengthening enforcement
- Establishing an automated Traffic Enforcement System for serious violations. The system meets WHO recommendations on speeding, crossing red-lights, the non-use of seat-belts and using mobile phones. The number of camera systems increased by 320%.
- Increased inspections of vehicles including 12.3 million inspections of trucks at weighing stations
Strengthening post-crash response
- Establishing three new centres of the National Centre for Security Operations (911].
- Activating air ambulance services in five regions.
- Raising awareness of the importance of first aid for over 30,000 beneficiaries.
- Establishing a level I trauma centre in the King Saud medical city.
Electronic death registry system
- Enhancing the electronic death registry system that includes more detailed data to better analyze the causes of crashes and apply preventative measures.
- Strengthening and coordinating mortality data across Ministries.
- Involving doctors as lead certifiers in the registry system and providing them with training.
