KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 21 people, including women and children, were killed and 40 others injured in eight separate traffic accidents across Afghanistan over the past week.
The incidents took place in Bamyan, Balkh, Samangan, Baghlan, Ghor, and Ghazni provinces since last Monday.
The latest traffic accident was reported in central Bamyan province, where at least four people, including a woman and two children, were killed and six others injured earlier this morning, August 24.
According to a Taliban security official in Bamyan, the incident occurred in Yakawlang district when a Toyota type vehicle veered off the Band-e-Amir highway and overturned.
Similarly, two traffic accidents were reported in Balkh and one in Samangan province on Wednesday, August 21, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuries to eight others in these three incidents.
Four other incidents occurred in Baghlan, Ghor, Bamyan, and Ghazni provinces over the past week, resulting in 12 deaths and 26 injuries.
Traffic accidents have significantly increased in Afghanistan in recent years. Poor road conditions, driver carelessness, and non-compliance with traffic regulations are some of the main factors that contribute to traffic accidents in the country.
According to Taliban authorities, over 2,228 traffic accidents occurred across Afghanistan in the last six months of 2023, resulting in at least 1,029 deaths and 3,890 injuries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that while Afghanistan has a national speed limit law, it is not strongly enforced. Additionally, there are currently no laws regulating seatbelt use, mobile phone use while driving, or proper training and examination before obtaining a driving license.
According to the WHO, over 4,700 people die in road traffic accidents each year in Afghanistan. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among women, children, and young adults.
