How Many People Died in Traffic Accidents in 1398, and Why?

The death toll from traffic accidents in Iran is extremely high. Despite a decline in casualties, approximately one person still died in a traffic accident every half hour in 1398.

In 1398, approximately 800,000 accidents occurred in Iran, which is an extremely high number. This issue can be related to many factors, with the main causes being unsafe roads, driving behavior, and low vehicle safety standards.

Out of this number of accidents, 16,300 people were killed, meaning approximately two percent of traffic accidents in Iran result in occupant deaths. This factor can be directly linked to the low safety standards of vehicles in Iran.

Experts believe that having safety features such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) reduces the percentage of traffic accidents and vehicle safety leads to a reduction in deaths in Iran.

Musi Amiri, Deputy Commander of Iran’s Road Police, said: “Passenger vehicles cause 80 percent of accidents, and the majority of accidents (47 percent) are related to vehicle rollovers.”

These statistics indicate that 50 percent of accidents due to rollovers occur because of driver fatigue and drowsiness.

In 1397, approximately 17,183 people died in traffic accidents in Iran. The reduction in death statistics is likely linked to reduced traffic and travel in the final months of the year due to the spread of coronavirus.

In Iran, approximately two accidents occur every minute. This high rate can be attributed to driving behavior in Iran. In Iran, usually some basic driving rules are ignored. For example, drivers are supposed to make a complete stop before entering an intersection, and the right of way belongs to the vehicle already in the intersection; but how many drivers in Iran actually do this?

The second main factor in accidents is related to incorrect design or the absence of proper traffic signs and markers on Iranian roads.

Iran’s Road Police announced in Tir 1398 that there are more than 10,000 accident-prone points on Iranian roads. Kamal Hadiyanfar, Head of Traffic Police, said “56 percent of accidents” are related to accident-prone points on roads, and if these accident hotspots are not addressed, “the rate of accidents in the country will decrease.”

The third factor in accidents is low technology in Iranian vehicles. It took years before Iranian automakers began installing anti-lock brakes in their produced vehicles.

Anti-lock brakes reduce the vehicle’s braking distance and cause the vehicle to stop sooner.

Less than 10 percent of vehicles produced in Iran use the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system.

In November 2009, the European Parliament approved a proposal to equip all commercial and passenger vehicles with the ESP system.

Since 2011, all automakers intending to sell their products in Europe have been required to equip them with the ESP system.

Also, in 2007, the American Highway Safety Association required all automakers to equip their vehicles with the ESP system by 2011.

Vehicle skidding and loss of control are among the main causes of accidents.

According to international studies, 40 percent of fatal accidents occur due to vehicle skidding and loss of control.

The ESP system can prevent up to 80 percent of accidents caused by vehicle rollover.

The ESP system quickly detects the likelihood of vehicle skidding and prevents such incidents.

In this case, the driver does not lose control of the vehicle, unless the vehicle’s movement is physically uncontrollable.

Another important point is after an accident occurs; if the vehicle is properly designed from a safety perspective, with proper shock absorption it can reduce the force applied to occupants and save them from death.

Vehicles worldwide undergo crash tests to determine how well they can protect occupants’ lives against accidents. However, most vehicles produced in Iran have performed poorly in crash tests.

Chinese vehicles in the Iranian market are severely deficient in this regard, and most vehicles produced in Iran also lack adequate standards due to outdated technology.

Iran’s Traffic Police say “34 percent” of those killed and injured in traffic incidents in Iran were Peugeot Pars occupants.

Source: Radio Farda