Doha, 11 Feb. 2019

Ministry of Interior of Qatar has announced record decline of 59.2 % in traffic related violations and casualties from 2008 to 2018. Brig. Ibrahim Saad Al-Sulaiti, Head of the Statistical Analysis Office at the Ministry of Interior was addressing at a press conference, present on the occasion were Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sa'ad Al Kharji, Director General of Traffic  and Brig. Muhammad Abdullah Al Maliki, Secretary of National Traffic Safety Committee. Brig. AlSulaiti presented traffic related statistics for the period of 2018 highlighting seven indicators compared to 2017 figures. He told increase in number of vehicles was recorded by 4.3% , driving licenses by 6% comparing to 2017. Despite growth in vehicles on roads, accidents with serious injuries are declined by 5.8% in 2018 and death accidents declined by 3.1%. Heavy casualties decreased by 17% and the number of deaths decreased by 5.1%.

The statistics showed that 97.2% of the traffic accidents were without injuries, while minor accidents declined by 8.5%.

The indicators show 7% decrease in accidents in comparison to 2017, 3.1% decrease in traffic deaths, 17% decrease in severity of accidents. The decrease in traffic mortalities was by 5.1% and the decrease in the number of serious injuries by 17% and in pedestrian mortality by 17.9%.

One of the most important indicators recorded was that Qatar's average of 4.9 road accident deaths per 100,000 persons was a remarkable achievement as it is far below the global average.  The global average was 17.4 deaths per 100,000 persons, 9.2 per 100,000 persons in high-income countries, 9.3 in European countries and 24.1 deaths in low-income countries.

The Industrial Area witnessed highest number of traffic mortalities during 2018 with 14 cases, followed by Fareej Sudan with 13 cases, Leabaib with 11, Al Wakra and Sealine with 8 cases each.

The statistics reviewed the causes of traffic accidents in the Sealine area at four points: parents renting motor cycles for their young children, motor performances that do not meet safety and security requirements, using quad bikes with high-speed engines by unqualified drivers and the absence of panels indicates danger places.

He also pointed to the measures taken by traffic authorities to reduce accidents in this area. Those include setting up controls and requirements for registering motor cycles and vehicles intended for transporting tourists, conducting patrols in the area around the clock. The authority also organize inspection campaigns on shops to comply with safety requirements, awareness campaigns in camps, schools and universities to introduce hazards and works in collaboration with relevant bodies to locate entertainment areas as well as carry out campaigns and road checkpoints to control vehicles and drivers in violation.

Head of the statistical analysis office said that this success was the result of joint efforts by the General Directorate of Traffic, the National Traffic Safety Committee, the Ambulance Service, the Public Works Authority and the Ministry of Municipality and the Environment. He said that significant growth in number of roads has helped in improvement of traffic performance.

Brig. Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti said number of deaths in traffic accidents in 2018 declined to 168, figuring 4.9 per every 100,000 persons, while in 2017 a total of 177 deaths occurred at a rate of 5.4 per 100,000 persons. In 2008, twelve deaths per 100,000 people were recorded, which means a steady decline in the mortality rate between 2008 and 2018 by 59.2%.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Saad Al Kharji appreciated the efforts of all parties involved with the General Directorate of Traffic to achieve these promising indicators. He hoped to achieve further decline in the number of deaths and injuries in the coming years. He lauded the growing awareness about traffic rules among the youth and said that youth are seen abiding with the traffic rules and regulations.  He paid his thanks to the media, whose efforts help reach awareness messages to the public and spread traffic culture among all.

Maj. Gen. Al-Kharji talking about incidents occurring in the Sealine area, advised the drivers to take necessary traffic safety measures  and avoid recklessness. He said that families can play important role in this regard and must not allow young people to drive vehicles.