TEHRAN – Approximately 22,000 traffic police officers and 3,000 unmarked police will be working to implement special traffic plans aimed at reducing road accidents and ensuring road safety during Nowruz Holidays, which begins on March 21st.
The plan will begin on Saturday, March 15th, the IRNA reported. As around 70% of car accidents occur within 30km of the city, these areas are prioritized for monitoring as danger zones. Police will notify drivers of traffic violations to prevent further issues, the IRNA quoted Ahmad Karami Asad, an official of the law enforcement order of the Islamic Republic of Iran, known as Farajah.
Approximately 700 law enforcement college students monitor driver behavior. Additionally, penalties for traffic violations skyrocketed 30% from March 10th to April 9th.
National Campaign: “Speak No to Accidents”
Yafa Hussein of Iran’s World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Iranian office is committed to strengthening its national campaign titled “Say No Accident” by providing strategic support, raising public awareness and working with responsible organizations.
The campaign, developed by the Ministry of Health website, aims primarily to manage road traffic, reduce accidents and save thousands of lives.
Road accidents are one of the main challenges of the domestic healthcare system. The Ministry of Health website quotes Hussein saying that thousands of individuals are killed in road crashes each year.
Such accidents are preventable, but in 2023, approximately 20,000 people lost their lives in Iran.
“We will actively spread important campaign messages across the World Health Organization’s digital platform, providing attractive, informative and accessible texts to our audiences. We will also promote high levels of advocacy and approval of evidence-based interventions, as well as the use of global models and expertise, further enhancing road safety,” Hussein emphasized.
Officials further said the WHO would also actively promote partnerships between policymakers, law enforcement agencies and various communities, encouraging observations of road safety regulations and promoting safer driving behavior.
“Together, we will raise public awareness and develop a traffic safety culture, particularly during Nowruz holidays, to significantly minimize road accidents and their catastrophic consequences.
All life matters, so let’s say overwhelming no to accidents and unite in making the road safer for everyone,” Hussein emphasized.
Currently, road traffic injuries are the leading murderers of people aged 5-29. This burden is disproportionately borne by pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, especially those living in developing countries.
According to the IRNA, traffic-related accidents claim 10,097 Iranian lives in the first six months of the current calendar year (March 20 to September 21) (March 20 to September 21), indicating a decline in 618 deaths.
Approximately 62% of accidents are caused by civilian vehicles. Autos and motorcycles accounted for public transport in 25%, 6% vans, 5% trucks and 1% of accidents, respectively.
In the country, pedestrians make up 16% of all accident victims. Their share reaches 24% in urban districts and 8% on roads.
25% of accidents occur between 4pm and 8pm, and 22% occur between 8pm and midnight, making it more likely that they occur in the evening and night.
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