The United Arab Emirates is among a small group of countries worldwide to have cut road deaths by more than 50% over the decade to 2021. Oman has reduced fatalities by more than 40%, while Bahrain achieved a decline of over 30%. Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have each recorded reductions exceeding 20%.
These outcomes reflect coordinated, data-driven approaches to road safety, with governments strengthening enforcement, investing in technology and improving institutional coordination.
In Morocco, authorities have transformed traffic enforcement into a targeted, data-driven system integrated into the national road safety strategy. The model focuses on using crash data to guide interventions, prioritising key risk factors such as speeding and drink-driving, and applying new technologies. Coordination across institutions has been central to ensuring consistent implementation, with clear targets guiding progress.
Oman has taken a structured approach by institutionalising road safety management through a high-level National Road Safety Committee. The committee oversees a fully funded national strategy running from 2021 to 2030, with clear accountability across sectors. Data integration across agencies, including police, health and insurance, has strengthened monitoring and decision-making, contributing to improved outcomes and international recognition.
Saudi Arabia has also elevated road safety to a national priority under its Vision 2030 framework. The country has adopted a “safe system” approach, supported by strong governance structures that bring together multiple ministries and stakeholders. Dedicated coordination bodies, technical committees and performance monitoring systems have enabled a shift from fragmented initiatives to a more unified and results-driven programme.
Tunisia has moved away from reactive measures towards a coordinated, multisectoral strategy anchored by a national road safety observatory. Led by the Ministry of the Interior, the observatory brings together key sectors to improve data collection and resource allocation. This has supported better monitoring of vehicle standards and faster response times to accidents.
In the United Arab Emirates, the introduction of a high-speed weigh-in-motion system has been a key innovation. Installed at strategic points along federal roads, the system allows authorities to monitor vehicle weight in real time, reducing the risks associated with overloaded trucks.
The initiative has improved compliance among freight vehicles and contributed to a decline in fatal accidents involving heavy goods vehicles, alongside a broader reduction in overall road deaths between 2021 and 2023.
The WHO said these examples highlight the importance of strong leadership, reliable data, coordinated action and sustained investment in achieving road safety goals. The organisation said that they also demonstrate that targeted interventions, when embedded in national strategies, can significantly reduce fatalities and injuries.
–WHO/ChannelAfrica–
