Israel Sees 439 Traffic Deaths in 2024
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Synopsis
In 2024, Israel recorded a significant increase in traffic fatalities, reaching 439 deaths, an alarming 21.6% rise from 2023. The data highlights critical safety issues on the roads, with several contributing factors identified.
Key Takeaways
- 439 traffic fatalities reported in 2024.
- 21.6% increase compared to 2023.
- 405 fatal accidents occurred in 2024.
- Primary causes include speeding and ignoring signals.
- Significant rise in powered two-wheeler incidents.
Tel Aviv, Jan 26 (NationPress) Israel has reported a total of 439 traffic fatalities in 2024, marking a significant increase of 21.6 percent from the 361 deaths recorded in 2023, as stated by the Israel Bureau of Statistics on Sunday.
The bureau pointed out that this figure represents the highest number of fatalities since 2006, which also saw 439 individuals lose their lives in traffic-related incidents, according to Xinhua news agency.
Furthermore, the total number of fatal accidents surged by 19.8 percent year-on-year, rising from 338 in 2023 to 405 in 2024.
The primary reasons behind traffic accidents leading to fatalities or severe injuries in 2024 included failure to yield to pedestrians, ignoring traffic signals, lane crossing, and speeding, as reported by Israel's National Road Safety Authority in a press release earlier this month.
In 2022, Israel recorded 351 road deaths, which was 1.7 percent above the pre-Covid-19 average. Traffic volumes returned to the levels seen in 2019, with the most pronounced increase observed among powered two-wheeler users, primarily due to their increased usage for transportation.
Given the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mobility and road accidents, the figures from 2020 and 2021 serve as unreliable benchmarks.
In 2024, former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sustained injuries in an accident in the central city of Ramle when his official vehicle overturned. His daughter, one of his bodyguards, and the driver of the other vehicle were all reported to have sustained minor injuries.
