Abdul Matin Qane, Taliban’s spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, said in a press conference on Sunday, October 22, that 2,228 traffic accidents have occurred across Afghanistan in the last six months. As a result, at least 1,029 people lost their lives, and 3,890 others sustained injuries.
Qane said that Taliban authorities detained 821 individuals on charges of not complying with the traffic law, without providing further information.
The recent data by authorities show an increase in traffic accidents across the country compared to last year when over 1,600 traffic accidents between January and August claimed 700 lives.
In recent years, traffic accidents have increased in Afghanistan. Residents have expressed concerns over disorder in the Taliban traffic department citing incompetence and lack of knowledge among the Taliban traffic personnel. Despite having the necessary paperwork, individuals are experiencing long wait times to obtain licenses.
Poor road conditions, high speed, driver carelessness, and non-compliance with traffic regulations are some of the main factors contributing to traffic accidents in the country.
According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan has a national speed limit law but there are currently no laws regulating the use of seatbelts or the use of mobile phones when driving and it is not compulsory for motorcyclists to wear helmets. WHO estimates that more than 4,700 people die in road traffic accidents every year in Afghanistan. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for women, children, and young adults.
