The Turning Point: Looking Back at Past Figures That Called for Change

To understand the scale of achievement the Kingdom is realizing today, we must go back a little and look at the numbers that posed a real danger. Before the launch of the National Transformation Programs, Saudi Arabia recorded among the highest road accident fatality rates in the world. In 2016, for example, the number of fatalities reached more than 9,000 deaths, at a rate of more than 25 deaths per day. This shocking figure was not just a statistic but represented a multidimensional national crisis.

On the social level, these accidents left behind thousands of orphans and widows and caused permanent disabilities for tens of thousands of injured people, placing a huge psychological and financial burden on families and society as a whole. On the economic level, the cost was enormous. Estimates indicated that the economic cost of traffic accidents represented a large percentage of GDP, including the costs of emergency and ongoing healthcare for the injured, repair costs for vehicles and damaged infrastructure, productivity losses resulting from deaths and injuries, in addition to administrative and legal costs. These figures were an urgent call to action, not only to enforce laws but to adopt a comprehensive strategic approach that addresses the problem at its roots — which was indeed embodied in Vision 2030.

Vision 2030: A Comprehensive Roadmap for Sustainable Road Safety

Vision 2030 did not treat road safety as an isolated file but included it as a vital element within its broader objectives of improving quality of life and developing smart and sustainable cities. The National Road Safety Strategy was launched through cooperation and coordination among several government agencies, led by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing, under the umbrella of the “Ministerial Committee for Road Safety” and supported by the National Road Safety Center, which plays a pivotal role in coordination and performance measurement.

The strategy is based on several integrated pillars, each addressing a different aspect of the problem:

• Legislation and Traffic Enforcement: The traffic system was strictly activated and updated, focusing on violations most responsible for serious accidents, such as speeding, using mobile phones while driving, not wearing seatbelts, and running red lights. The automated monitoring system "Saher" has contributed greatly to enhancing compliance with the law around the clock, creating an effective deterrent and helping change unsafe driving behaviors.

• Engineering and Infrastructure: The Ministry of Transport and Logistics launched massive projects to improve and develop the Kingdom’s road network, one of the largest in the world. These efforts included raising the standards of road design and implementation, improving asphalt quality, providing sufficient lighting, installing advanced protective barriers, designing safer intersections, as well as regularly maintaining existing roads to address any black spots (sites where accidents frequently occur).

• Awareness and Education: Recognizing that behavior change begins with awareness change, intensive and innovative awareness campaigns were launched targeting all segments of society. These campaigns were not limited to television and radio but extended to social media, schools, universities, and workplaces, carrying direct and impactful messages about the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of adhering to safety rules.

• Emergency Response and Ambulance Services: Response time after an accident plays a decisive role in saving lives. Therefore, relevant authorities such as the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and the Ministry of Health worked to reduce the time required for ambulance teams to reach accident sites, equip emergency rooms in hospitals with the latest equipment, and train medical staff to deal with accident injuries efficiently.

This integrated approach is what distinguishes the Saudi experience and aligns with global best practices emphasized by international organizations. The World Health Organization indicates that success in reducing road fatalities requires strong government commitment and a multi-sectoral strategy. The results have already become clear, as the Kingdom has witnessed a historic reduction in accident fatalities by more than 50% in recent years — a tremendous achievement that paves the way toward realizing the ultimate goal of Vision 2030: reaching the highest global levels of road safety.

How to Reduce Traffic Accidents Through Technology and Innovation

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technological innovation has become the main driver of progress in all sectors, and road safety is no exception. The Kingdom realized that achieving significant leaps in this field requires going beyond traditional solutions and adopting the latest technological advancements. Understanding how to reduce traffic accidents in the modern era is closely tied to the ability to harness artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a smarter traffic environment capable of predicting risks and preventing them before they occur.

Technology plays a pivotal role in supporting the pillars of the national strategy. For example, in the area of traffic enforcement, cameras are no longer just tools for monitoring speed; they have evolved to use AI algorithms to analyze traffic patterns and detect complex violations such as not leaving a safe distance. Smart traffic control systems are also being used to adjust signal timings based on real-time traffic density, reducing congestion and thus the likelihood of accidents.

But the most prominent role of technology lies in its ability to intervene proactively and change driver behavior in real time. Here, the private sector emerges as a strategic partner in innovation, with tech companies contributing to accelerating the pace of digital transformation in the transport sector. Among the pioneering examples in this field is rooya, a Saudi platform based on artificial intelligence, specializing in improving fleet management and driver behavior, and reducing operating costs through smart, instant, data-driven solutions.

Such advanced platforms, known as Telematics, employ smart in-vehicle cameras that continuously analyze driver behavior. If the system detects mobile phone use, signs of drowsiness and fatigue, or a dangerous maneuver, it issues an instant audio alert to refocus the driver’s attention on the road. At the same time, this data is translated into detailed analytical reports for fleet managers, enabling them to assess performance, identify drivers who need additional training, and reward those who comply — ultimately building a culture of safe and responsible driving within the organization and proactively reducing risks.

The Economic Impact: From Safer Roads to a Thriving Economy

Investing in road safety is not a cost but a high-return, sustainable investment. The positive effects of reducing traffic accidents go far beyond the humanitarian and social aspect, providing a strong boost to the national economy in several ways:

• Reducing healthcare costs: Every accident prevented reduces the burden on the healthcare system. This includes the costs of ambulances, emergency treatments, surgeries, and lengthy and costly rehabilitation sessions, freeing these resources to be directed toward other health priorities.

• Lowering the burden on the insurance sector: A decline in the number and severity of accidents reduces the volume of claims paid by insurance companies, which can positively impact premiums for compliant drivers and make the sector more stable and profitable.

• Improving the operational efficiency of the transport and logistics sector: Transport is the lifeline of the economy. Safer roads mean faster and more reliable delivery of goods, lower maintenance and repair costs, and less downtime due to accidents — all of which enhance the competitiveness of Saudi companies.

• Boosting national productivity: Traffic accidents cause the loss of millions of productive hours annually, whether due to deaths and injuries keeping individuals out of the labor market or traffic congestion wasting everyone’s time. Safer roads mean a more productive society.

• Enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness for investment and tourism: Safe and advanced infrastructure, including road networks, is one of the main factors foreign investors and tourists consider. A strong reputation in road safety enhances the Kingdom’s image as a modern, reliable, and attractive destination for living, working, and visiting.