Muscat: GCC countries can significantly reduce road fatalities and drive economic growth by meeting global road safety performance targets, according to a recent report.
The report by Strategy & Middle East, a part of the PwC network, and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) on the journey to safer roads in the Middle East, said that achieving a single target of the 12 road safety targets outlined in the UN General Assembly’s Decade of Action for Road Safety resolution — Target 4 will ensure 75 per cent of travel adheres to recommended safety standards for all road users.
It will also enable GCC countries to save 2,800 lives annually, marking a 22 per cent reduction in road fatalities, and will also contribute $250 billion to boost the economy over the next 20 years, advancing the “Vision Zero” goal of zero road deaths or serious injuries.
It may be noted that the Sultanate of Oman reported 532 traffic-related deaths and 1072 injuries from 988 accidents in 2022, compared to 233 deaths from 820 accidents in 2021 and 198 deaths from 702 accidents in 2020.
A majority of these accidents were due to driver negligence, bad behaviour, overtaking. The report said that safety measures are essential for the development of the GCC countries, which include smart vehicles, connectivity, empowered commuters, efficient operations, robust enforcement, supportive policies, and improved driver education and awareness.
The impact of crashes on families, communities, livelihoods, and national economies is significant.
However, through the implementation of readily available technologies and a concerted effort across policy and infrastructure development, GCC countries can make a real difference in saving lives,” FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem said, noting that this report will create a framework for the federation’s Member Clubs to support governments in their journey towards a safer mobility.
Despite achieving significant progress in enhancing road safety, GCC countries continue to experience higher incident rates and fatalities in comparison to many other regions, according to Hicham Fadel, Partner with Strategy & Middle East.
“By shifting the majority of GCC road travel to safer roads, pressure on healthcare systems can be alleviated, and economic productivity can be safeguarded against the economic cost of injuries and fatalities,” he said.
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