Road traffic accidents: statistics and data comparing the Gulf countries and the Riyadh area

In Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Countries, road traffic accidents [RTA] are one of the leading causes of death [after infectious diseases]. According to the latest reports [1983] the world's vehicles will reach 750 million by the year 2000, and the cost of damages on the roads will approach 100 billion dollars per year. The USA will account for 41% of these costs and the Gulf Countries about 1000 million dollars. In 1980 the British Government spent 6.5 million pounds on road signs and safety measures. In the USA the death rate on the roads in 1983 was 21 deaths per 100 000 compared with 37 deaths per 100000 in Gulf Countries. In all the Gulf Countries between 1971 and 1984 there was a 1031.3% increase in the number of cars imported. Only Kuwait reported a 0.25% decrease in accidents. Saudi Arabia reported the highest increase in number of pedestrian accidents [namely 52% of all RTA] compared with other Gulf Countries. In Saudi Arabia, the number of fatalities increased to reach its peak in 1983, declining soon afterwards