Amman, May 4 (Petra) – Jordan joined the global community on Monday in observing World Traffic Day and Arab Traffic Week, revealing a significant downward trend in road fatalities and accidents despite the Kingdom's rapid population growth.

In a statement released by the Higher Council for Population (HPC), latest data shows that Jordan is making measurable progress toward the World Health Organization’s goal of halving road deaths by 2030. In 2025, the total number of traffic accidents decreased by 1.6% compared to the previous year, while fatalities dropped by 6.1%. Most notably, the "traffic severity index" has steadily declined over the last five years, reaching a record low of 0.062 in 2025.

Despite these positive indicators, the HPC highlighted a critical demographic challenge that necessitates a long-term shift in urban planning. With 5.3 million Jordanians currently under the age of 20, the Kingdom is facing an imminent surge in the number of new drivers and vehicles. The Council warned that the current concentration of 92% of the population in the northern half of the country – combined with urban sprawl – is intensifying traffic congestion and threatening rural agricultural lands.

According to the 2025 Traffic Institute report from the Public Security Directorate: – Accident Volume: A total of 187,213 traffic accidents were recorded, with 11,680 resulting in human casualties.

– Human Toll: The year saw 510 fatalities and 17,146 injuries. Of those injured, 909 were classified as severe cases.

– High-Risk Demographics: The age group of 18 to 35 remains the most vulnerable, recording the highest number of injuries.

– Urban Concentration: Approximately 91% of all accidents occurred within city limits. Urban centers also accounted for 96% of all pedestrian "run-over" incidents, underscoring the urgent need for safer city infrastructure.

The Council advocated for an integrated approach that links traffic safety directly to urban development. Recommendations include discouraging construction around already congested hubs in the northwest and instead organizing residential zones in areas equipped with infrastructure prior to settlement.

Globally, road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5 to 29. In Jordan, the HPC emphasized that continuing to modernize public transport and enhancing road awareness among the youth are essential steps to protecting the Kingdom's "human capital" the two-thirds of traffic victims who fall within the productive working age of 18 to 59.

//Petra// AA