Skip to main content

High crash rate for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s shockingly high crash rate is providing cause for concern. Research suggests that the country could see up to 1.1 million road crashes in 2016. This data comes from statistics provided by Najm Insurance Services of Saudi Arabia. The firm’s studies suggest that the number of motor vehicle crashes in the country could increase from 962,000 in 2015 and top 1.1 million in 2016. The insurance firm estimates that 17 people/day die due to road crashes in Saudi Arabia. It is also estimated that less
April 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Saudi Arabia’s shockingly high crash rate is providing cause for concern. Research suggests that the country could see up to 1.1 million road crashes in 2016. This data comes from statistics provided by Najm Insurance Services of Saudi Arabia. The firm’s studies suggest that the number of motor vehicle crashes in the country could increase from 962,000 in 2015 and top 1.1 million in 2016. The insurance firm estimates that 17 people/day die due to road crashes in Saudi Arabia. It is also estimated that less than 45% of cars in Saudi Arabia are insured even though third-party motor vehicle insurance is mandatory. Insurers paid a total of US$6.67 billion for motor crash claims over last five years. The annual loss ratio has exceeded 100% after including sales, marketing and general administrative expenses that accounted for 15-20% of total sales. Insurers also have to deal with rising cost of spare parts and increase in fraud cases. According to a report by the World Health Organisation, Saudi Arabia is ranked 23rd in the world for number of deaths caused by road crashes.

Related Content

  • Study reveals poor road safety for Middle East
    April 23, 2014
    Road safety in the Middle East continues to decline, according to the latest data available. There were 945,000 road crashes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2012, a rise from the 853,700 in 2011 according to a recent study. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have particularly poor records for road safety. Saudi Arabia had 589,258 crashes in 2012 while Qatar had 252,614 crashes in the same period. In particular, Saudi Arabia is said to have 19.1 road fatalities/day, on average, based on figures from the General
  • Road safety improvements and challenges worldwide
    May 24, 2012
    Road safety is again hitting the headlines worldwide, with new data showing accident reductions being achieved as well as highlighting areas for improvement. Several European nations showed major safety improvements. In Spain, the Home Affairs Office has published encouraging information revealing that the number of fatalities from car accidents fell in 13 out of the country's 17 autonomous regions during 2010. La Rioja region reported a drop of 47%, the best improvement in Spain, while the regions of Astur
  • China looks to the future with major highway plans
    February 15, 2012
    China is still moving ahead with plans that will give it the world's biggest highway system. Patrick Smith reports. As China's economy grows even more, keeping the country on the move has become a priority for the government. While the country has made great strides over the past decade in improving its infrastructure, the number of vehicles has also increased rapidly, and in some instances restrictions have been placed on them.
  • UK construction equipment exports falling, says CEA
    December 8, 2016
    UK exports of components and parts significantly fell in the third quarter by total weight (down 33.5%) and value (down 20.5%), compared with Q2. The report from the Construction Equipment Association provides an update on quarterly exports and imports of components and parts. Data is taken from the UK government’s official trade statistics and is available in tonnage and monetary value of machinery and component parts (products). Products included are buckets and attachments, blades, parts for boring or