Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — Traffic fatalities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province have dropped by 72% per 100,000 people and severe injuries by 76%, saving more than SR10 billion ($2.6 billion) in accident-related costs, according to the region’s Traffic Safety Committee.

The figures were shared during a meeting chaired by Prince Saud bin Naif, Emir of the Eastern Province, who received Secretary-General of the Traffic Safety Committee Abdullah Al-Rajhi and representatives of participating agencies at the Emirate’s Diwan on Monday.

Prince Saud credited the results to the leadership’s continued support for quality-of-life enhancements and road safety improvements.

He emphasized the importance of driver awareness, strict adherence to traffic regulations, and leveraging advanced technologies to further reduce accidents.

He noted that while smart vehicles are expected to play a growing role in enhancing road safety, human behavior remains central, requiring continued education and awareness campaigns.

Al-Rajhi highlighted that Eastern Province ranked first among all Saudi regions in traffic safety performance by the end of 2024, meeting 12 out of 17 national safety indicators. These include road engineering, enforcement, public education, and emergency response, as part of an integrated model led by the Governor.

The region’s road network achieved an 80% safety rating, with work zones and diversions reaching 95% safety compliance.

Al-Rajhi said these advances made the Eastern Province a model for traffic safety recognized by local and international bodies, including the World Health Organization, which documented the region’s achievements in a regional safety report.