Citation

Koushki PA. J. Traffic Med. 1989; 17(1): 6-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

During the two-year study period, a total of 1754 road traffic accidents occurred within central Riyadh, a space of approximately 9 km2. This represents an average of 2.4 accidents per day. The total number of drivers involved in these mishaps was 3241, and of these an impressive 1,200, nearly 40%, did not hold licenses to drive. The fact that unlicensed drivers feel comfortable enough to drive on the city center's main thoroughfares strongly underscores the need for stricter license control and monitoring. These accidents resulted in the loss of 36 lives. A full one-half of these fatalities were pedestrians, a group comprised mostly of children, women, and the elderly. These statistics are particularly disturbing in view of the fact that while walking is, in general, the most pollution-free, economical, healthy, and safe mode of travel, those who venture out on foot in central Riyadh proceed at great risk. The protection of pedestrians is, therefore, at the top of the priority list for travel safety improvement.