KABUL, Afghanistan — Figures by the Taliban-run Traffic Directorate show that 1,334 traffic incidents have happened across the country over the past five months, resulting in 291 deaths and 479 injuries.
At least 70 people have died in traffic accidents in various parts of the country in July only, according data collected by Amu TV from statements of Taliban-run offices.
In a recent incident on Wednesday, July 31, five people were killed in a traffic accident in Alasay district in the central province of Kabul, around 100 kilometers to north of Kabul.
According to the department, the number of traffic incidents has sharply increased in the last three months.
During the six-day Eid al-Adha holiday alone in mid-June, 97 accidents were recorded, resulting in 65 deaths and 161 injuries.
A nation’s driving test: Navigating deadly roads
Images circulating on social media depict a troubling reality: driving tests with no seriousness. Drivers, particularly those operating passenger buses, often ignore traffic rules. Many footage and photos on social media, which Amu cannot independently verify, highlight the recklessness prevalent on Afghanistan’s roads.
In Kabul City and on highways, many drivers show little regard for traffic regulations. This disregard is illustrated by images of chaotic bus traffic, widely shared on social media.
The Traffic department’s statistics for the first five months of the current solar year 1403 (2024) are alarming:
• 1,334 traffic incidents
• 291 deaths
• 479 injuries
• Women and children among the casualties
In the three months leading up to Eid al-Adha, traffic incidents surged significantly.
Eid al-Adha traffic accidents: A grim toll
From June 15 to June 21, 2023:
• 97 traffic incidents in six days
• 65 deaths
• 161 injuries
The most deadly incidents occurred in Khonjan, Baghlan, and on the Faizabad highway in Badakhshan:
• In Khinjan, a crash resulted in 22 deaths and 37 injuries, including 12 men, 2 women, and 3 children.
• On the Faizabad highway, five people were killed and 13 injured.
Causes and responses
Poor road conditions, driver negligence, outdated licensing systems, and a lack of traffic rule awareness contribute to the high incidence of traffic accidents.
“Traffic accidents in Kabul are mostly due to driver negligence. If one driver is cautious, another is not,” A Kabul resident said.
Another resident emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, “Rebuilding roads to standard specifications could alleviate these problems. Traffic congestion is especially severe during the hot season.”
In response to rising concerns, the Taliban cabinet approved a traffic accident prevention policy on April 2, 2023. Despite this, the frequency of traffic incidents remains high. The policy initiative followed a deadly collision last year involving a fuel tanker, a motorcycle, and a passenger bus, which resulted in 18 deaths and 38 injuries.
