Road traffic accidents claim the lives of approximately 1.3 million individuals globally each year, with an additional 20 to 50 million people sustaining non-fatal injuries. Over half of these incidents involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and their passengers. The consequences of road traffic injuries extend beyond human suffering, imposing a substantial economic burden on victims and their families. On a broader scale, road traffic injuries significantly impact national economies, amounting to 3% of countries' annual gross domestic product according to the World Health Organization.
Jordan suffers from this problem, with the number of traffic accidents reaching approximately 170,000 incidents in 2022. The Road Safety Center of Excellence (RSCE) aims to develop far-reaching safety programs to reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.
The Road Safety Center aims as well to link the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities) and (SDG13: Climate Change) to create safer, more accessible, and environmentally friendly urban environments with the focus on 11.2 targets “AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS”. Integrating road safety and sustainable transport will lead to prioritize initiatives that reduce traffic accidents, promote efficient public transportation, and minimize the environmental impact of urban mobility. By raising awareness about smart city technologies, and implementing education and awareness programs to create cities that prioritize safety, accessibility, and sustainability. This mission ultimately contributes to more livable, resilient, and eco-friendly urban spaces, aligning with the broader vision of the United Nations for a sustainable and equitable future. RSCE aims to raise awareness about sustainable transportation and introduce initiatives in this regard in cooperation with its partners.
Addressing this issue requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders in road safety, both individuals and institutions, to achieve a tangible reduction in the number of traffic accidents and the resulting fatalities, injuries, and property damage, as well as the social and economic consequences. The goal is to reach Jordan free of traffic fatalities and injuries.
Dr.-Ing. Farah AlAtrash