Saudi Introduces A New ‘Road Code’ In An Effort To Further Reduce Traffic Incidents

Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides in traffic safety, achieving a significant 50% reduction in traffic accident fatalities and a 35% decrease in injury rates.

This progress, highlighted in a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, was largely attributed to improvements in infrastructure quality and strict adherence to traffic safety standards. The Minister of Health and Chairman of the Traffic Safety Committee, Fahd Al-Jalajel, credited these advancements to a combination of technical, legislative, awareness, and health initiatives.

The Saudi Road Code was launched to further enhance safety

To further bolster road safety, the General Authority for Roads recently launched the Saudi Road Code, a comprehensive technical reference designed to guide road authorities at all levels in planning, designing, implementing, operating, and maintaining roads. This new code includes 25 regulations covering various aspects of road infrastructure, such as design, construction, maintenance of roads, bridges, tunnels, and traffic engineering. Additionally, it addresses environmental considerations and sets new rules for self-driving and autonomous vehicles.

Road accident deaths have significantly dropped in recent years

The Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing road safety is evident in the reduction of road accident deaths by 35% over the past five years, dropping from 9,311 fatalities in 2016 to 6,651 in 2021.

A significant step towards reducing road fatalities with the launch of the Road Code

The Road Code’s launch marks a significant step towards reducing road fatalities to less than five per 100,000 people by 2030. Transport Minister Saleh Al-Jasser, present at the launch, emphasized the code’s role in enhancing road safety and quality, reducing traffic congestion, and encouraging innovation.

The regulations were meticulously developed over 18 months with input from both local and international experts, ensuring they align with the best international practices and contribute to the strategic objectives of Saudi Arabia’s road sector.