The head of the Jordanian Society for the Prevention of Road Accidents, Wafai Imseis, said that the year 2020 witnessed a remarkable decrease in road accidents and deaths resulting from them, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, and related restrictions and curfews that were implemented.

In his participation in Roya's Donya Ya Donya program, he added that road accidents caused 461 deaths last year, compared to 642 deaths in 2019, which is a decrease of 28 percent.

He considered road accidents a pandemic on their own, noting they are no less dangerous than other pandemics, because they are continuous.

Imseis indicated that many countries have developed important strategies in hopes of reaching zero deaths as a result of road accidents. He pointed to Norway's Oslo, which was able to reach this goal in 2019, as no deaths were recorded from road accidents.

"This should be an example for us in Jordan," he said.

He affirmed that the Kingdom has signed a 10-year contract with the United Nations (UN) to reduce road traffic deaths by 50 percent, starting with a 10 percent decrease each year, starting from 2021 until 2030.

But this goal requires special procedures and measures in order to be achieved, he said, noting this is represented by the appropriate regulatory legislation and the development of what is enforceable. 

The enforcement of legislation through executive authority, represented by the Public Security Department is required, said Imseis, and the presence of a political will on the part of the government to place traffic safety among its priorities.

Imseis also stressed the need for road maintenance in order to provide a safe environment for drivers and pedestrians.

He said, "This matter calls us to bring the proposed draft traffic law hidden in the drawers into existence, a law that takes into account many details, and tightens penalties for traffic violations."