Surge in road accidents in Morocco: A call for vigilance
Recent data from the Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (DGSN) reveals a troubling surge in road accidents across Moroccan cities, with 22 fatalities and 2,490 injuries reported during the week of March 17-23. The statistics indicate that 109 individuals sustained serious injuries, highlighting a persistent issue on the roads.
During this period, authorities recorded a total of 1,815 accidents, predominantly attributed to driver negligence. Key contributing factors included failure to yield, tailgating, speeding, and pedestrian inattentiveness. Additional elements such as disregard for traffic signals and illegal maneuvers further compounded the situation.
In response to these alarming figures, officials documented 42,492 traffic violations, leading to the issuance of 7,990 official reports directed to the public prosecutor. A total of 34,502 fines were collected, amounting to MAD 7,368,375 (approximately $736,838). Furthermore, law enforcement impounded 5,167 vehicles and confiscated 7,990 essential documents, including driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. Additionally, 780 vehicles were taken out of service due to various infractions.
Comparatively, earlier statistics from January indicated that 21 deaths and 2,710 injuries were recorded during the week of January 13-19, with 100 of those injuries classified as serious.
With the approach of Eid Al Fitr, which is anticipated to be celebrated on March 31, the urgency for heightened driver awareness becomes increasingly critical. The DGSN has noted that "drivers’ inattention" is a significant factor behind the rising number of accidents. This issue is expected to intensify during Ramadan, a month when many drivers operate on less sleep and without caffeinated beverages.
The starkest contrast in road safety was observed during the 2020 Covid lockdown, when only five fatalities occurred in 218 accidents in urban areas from March 23-29.
As the holiday period approaches, Moroccan authorities underscore the necessity for drivers to exercise heightened caution, particularly as roads will likely be congested with individuals traveling to reunite with family for the festivities.
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