KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A new report by Etilaatroz newspaper shows that traffic accidents in Afghanistan have increased five times since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021
The report, based on Taliban data and recently released, shows that during the solar year 1400 (March 2021 to March 2022), approximately 1,187 traffic accidents were recorded in Afghanistan, with 200 of them occurring in the densely populated city of Kabul.
In 1401 (March 2022 – March 2023), a total of 2,662 accidents occurred in Afghanistan, and in the following year, 5,520 accidents were recorded, reflecting a 78.5% increase over the two years.
The report indicates that Faryab, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Herat, Samangan, Bamyan, and Daikundi recorded the highest number of traffic accidents between March 2022 and October 2024.
According to the report, the deadliest province during this period was the mountainous province of Badakhshan, with 147 fatalities, followed by Baghlan with 135 deaths, Herat with 118 deaths, Daikundi with 62 deaths, Samangan with 62 deaths, and Bamyan with 61 deaths.
The Taliban authorities did not disclose the total number of casualties from traffic accidents during this period. However, Etilaatroz examined 692 traffic accidents from March 2022 to October 2024, finding that at least 1,524 people were killed and 3,319 others were injured in these incidents.
According to the report, Taliban members were responsible for at least 48 traffic accidents during this period, leading to the deaths of at least 37 people, including 10 women and three children, and injuring 78 others. Additionally, at least 65 Taliban members were killed and 98 others injured in traffic accidents across the country during this time.
Traffic accidents in Afghanistan mainly involve veering off the road, overturning, and colliding with vehicles, mountains, walls, trees, or falling into ravines and rivers. The report indicates that the majority of traffic accidents between March 2022 and October 2024 were caused by veering off the road, overturning, and falling into ravines and rivers.
Poor road conditions, high speeds, driver negligence, disregard for traffic regulations, and landslides are reported as key factors contributing to traffic accidents in Afghanistan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that while Afghanistan has a national speed limit law, it is not strongly enforced. Furthermore, there are no laws in place to regulate seatbelt use, mobile phone usage while driving, or to ensure proper training and examination before issuing a driving license.
