Traffic safety in Syria

Abstract:

Syria is witnessing an alarming increase in traffic accident rates, reflecting a complex crisis involving structural, legislative, behavioral, and institutional factors.
This paper aims to analyze the reality of traffic safety from a multidisciplinary perspective and provide applicable recommendations within the current Syrian context. The study draws on field data and official reports and employs analytical models such as SWOT and the prevention pyramid to deconstruct the phenomenon and envision a safer future for Syrian roads.

Introduction:

Traffic safety is one of the most prominent indicators of quality of life in contemporary societies, as it is directly linked to individuals’ health, security, and economic and social stability.

Traffic accidents have increased significantly in Syria in recent years, particularly in light of the deteriorating infrastructure, the decline of public services, and the disintegration of the legislative and executive systems. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive scientific analysis of this phenomenon by reviewing data, explaining the causes, and offering solutions.

Theoretical and Methodological Framework:

The study relies on a SWOT analysis model to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the Syrian traffic safety system, in addition to the “preventive pyramid” model, which links legislation, infrastructure, behaviors, and emergency response.

It also draws on concepts from urban sociology about the relationship between public space and individual behavior, and public health theories related to injury prevention.
The approach used is descriptive-analytical, relying on a literature review, statistical data analysis, and the interpretation of phenomena from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Statistical Reality of Traffic Accidents in Syria:

Data from the Syrian Civil Defense indicate that the country witnessed more than 600 traffic accidents during the first quarter of 2025, resulting in 39 deaths and 567 injuries.
In a subsequent report, 726 accidents were documented by mid-April, resulting in 46 deaths and 667 injuries, distributed across various age and gender groups.
These figures show an upward trend in accident rates, particularly in densely populated areas or on vital roads such as the Homs-Damascus road, the Aleppo-Latakia road, and the Manbij area.

Statistics from the Syrian Ministry of Interior for 2024 indicate that 1,442 accidents were recorded in the first quarter, resulting in 85 deaths and 1,232 injuries, reflecting the prevalence of the phenomenon at the national level.

Analysis of structural and technical causes:

1. Deteriorating infrastructure

• Lack of regular road maintenance.
• The prevalence of potholes and random bumps.
• Poor lighting and warning signs.
• The absence of guardrails at dangerous turns.

2. Weak vehicle safety systems

• The absence of airbags in most cars.
• The absence of anti-slip or early warning systems.
• The prevalence of technically unqualified vehicles due to the absence of regular inspections.

3. Lack of urban traffic planning

• Ill-considered intersection design.
• The absence of safe pedestrian crossings.
• Vehicle traffic interferes with commercial activities on main streets.

Behavioral and Social Causes:

1. Reckless Driving

• Excessive Speeding in Residential Areas
• Illegal Overtaking
• Driving Under the Influence of Fatigue or Stress

2. Poor Traffic Education

• Failure to Obey Traffic Lights
• Riding Motorcycles Without a Helmet or License
• Permitting Children or the Unqualified to Drive Vehicles

3. Lack of Legal Deterrence

• Weak Enforcement of Penalties for Violators
• Lack of Effective Traffic Control
• Overlapping Authorities among the Stakeholders

Implications of Accidents:

1. Health Impact

• Severe Injuries Requiring Long-Term Care
• Press on Local Hospitals
• Shortage of Emergency Medical Staff

2. Economic Impact

• Direct Losses of Life and Property
• Reduced Productivity Due to Permanent Disabilities
• Treatment and Compensation Costs Burden Families and the State

3. Psychological and Social Impact

• Psychological disturbances among victims and their families.
• Declining trust in public institutions.
• A general feeling of unsafety in public spaces.

Institutional and Organizational Challenges:

1. Lack of a National Strategy
   There is no comprehensive national plan addressing road safety from a multi-sectoral perspective, leading to fragmented efforts and a lack of coordination.
2. Weak Funding
   Relevant authorities suffer from a lack of financial resources to modernize roads, purchase safety equipment, or train specialized personnel.
3. Lack of a National Database
   There is no unified system for documenting and analyzing accidents, which hinders understanding the causes and developing preventive policies.

Proposed Policies:

1. Infrastructure Development:

• Rehabilitation of vital roads.
• Installation of smart traffic signals.
• Construction of pedestrian crossings and overpasses in congested areas.

2. Strengthening traffic control.

• Using surveillance cameras at intersections.
• Activating the role of traffic police.
• Strictly enforcing penalties on violators.

3. Launching awareness campaigns.

• Educational programs in schools and universities.
• Media campaigns on television and radio.
• Involving civil society in spreading a culture of safe driving.

4. Updating legislation.

• Amending the traffic law to reflect current realities.
• Imposing periodic technical inspections of vehicles.
• Regulating the issuance of driving licenses according to strict standards.

5. Supporting emergency teams.

• Training ambulance and civil defense teams.
• Providing them with the necessary equipment for rapid response.
• Establishing emergency centers on highways.

Looking to the Future:

Improving road safety in Syria requires a long-term institutional and cultural transformation, beginning with recognizing the problem, moving through capacity building, and ending with behavioral change. Community engagement, the use of technology, and the adoption of evidence-based policies are among the most important pillars of success in this area.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that the road safety crisis in Syria is not merely a technical or behavioral shortcoming, but rather a reflection of deep structural challenges in the management of public space, the distribution of resources, and the formation of community awareness.

The Syrian Future Movement believes that addressing this crisis requires political will, institutional coordination, and long-term investment in infrastructure and human capital.
Road safety is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right for every citizen and an indicator of the state’s respect for the lives of its citizens.

References:

1. Syrian Civil Defense – Traffic Accident Reports, 2025.
2. Syria TV Website – News item: “Within 24 Hours… Traffic Accidents in Syria Kill Two and Injure 11,” September 17, 2025.
3. World Health Organization – Road Safety Report, Middle East Edition, 2023.
4. World Bank – Transport Infrastructure Assessment in Syria, 2022.
5. Syrian Ministry of Interior – Annual Traffic Statistics, 2024.
6. Arab Journal of Road Safety – Issues 2021–2023.
7. Syrian Red Crescent Reports on Traffic Injuries, 2023.
8. International Committee of the Red Cross – Facts and Figures in Syria, 2023.
9. United Nations Archives – Urban Development Reports in Syria, 2022.
10. Studies published in the Journal of Arab Public Policy, Issue 14, 2023.