Number of road deaths dropped by 10% in 2014

AMMAN — Deaths resulting from road accidents in 2014 decreased by 10.4 per cent compared to 2013, standing at 688 fatalities, whereas injuries decreased by 7.3 per cent, amounting to 14,790 cases, according to the Public Security Department (PSD).

The PSD announced the figures at a ceremony it organised on Sunday marking World Traffic Day and Arab Traffic Week, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Also in 2014, the ratio of road accidents decreased by 5 per cent, according to PSD Assistant Director for Traffic Affairs Brig. Gen. Atef Saudi. 

The PSD has prepared a set of procedures and executive plans in cooperation with all stakeholders to decrease the number of accidents and alleviate traffic jams, PSD Director Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Tawalbeh said during the ceremony.

The event included a number of activities that portrayed the importance of following traffic rules and regulations including a play and a poetry recital.

The Central Traffic Department’s 2013-17 traffic safety plan has set strategic goals, most important of which is reducing road accidents for each 10,000 vehicles by 4 per cent annually, according a CTD statement released earlier this year.

By the end of the plan, in 2017, road accidents should be 20 per cent less than in 2012, according to the CTD.