PSD report reveals record-breaking number of traffic accidents in 2022

AMMAN — Between 2017 and 2022, a total of 3,511 individuals have died due to traffic accidents in Jordan.

The Public Security Directorate’s (PSD) annual report on traffic accidents revealed that between 2017 and 2022, approximately one million traffic accidents occurred, with more than 90 per cent attributed to driver error and traffic violations. 

The PSD report said that 915,114 traffic accidents took place resulting in 3,511 fatalities and 5,408 severe injuries. The economic cost of the accidents amounts to nearly JD2 billion, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Even during the year-long COVID-19 lockdowns, the number of accidents did not significantly decrease. 

In 2017, there were approximately 10,226 accidents, with a slight increase in 2018. Accidents surged to 161,511 in 2019 and with reduced traffic and COVID-19 lockdown measures the following year, the number dropped to 122,970. In 2021 there were 160,600 reported incidents, and 2022 witnessed a record-breaking 169,409 cases. 

Recent PSD data revealed that within the first five months of this year, 223 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents. Human factors contributed to 98 per cent of these accidents. Traffic cameras captured 45,000 instances of red-light violations, and 23,000 drivers were caught speeding on public roads during the same period. Furthermore, 1,700 reckless driving violations were documented, resulting in the seizure of 161 driving licenses by mid-May.

The reports also highlighted that the youth population is particularly susceptible to accidents. In 2022, 46 per cent of the deceased and injured individuals fell within the age range of 18 to 35.