Figures by the Taliban’s traffic department indicate that 123 people died and 177 more have been injured in over 120 road accidents in the northern province of Balkh over the past 10 months.
Most incidents occurred along major highways connecting Balkh to Jawzjan and Samangan provinces as well as the Herat-Mazar-e-Sharif route.
The department attributed the accidents to several factors, including narrow and poorly maintained roads, the prevalence of unregistered vehicles, careless driving, and widespread disregard for traffic laws.
In response to the alarming number of incidents, Taliban’s local traffic authorities said they have increased checkpoints on major highways to curb reckless driving and prevent further accidents.
Traffic accidents remain a persistent issue across the country. Taliban officials report that more than 4,000 road accidents occurred nationwide over the past 11 months.
One of the deadliest incidents took place on December 19, 2024, on the Kabul-Kandahar highway. Two separate collisions involving passenger buses and gas tankers resulted in 52 deaths and 65 injuries. Both accidents occurred around 11 p.m., with devastating fires breaking out after the collisions.
Afghanistan’s roads are plagued by poor infrastructure, inadequate signage, and a lack of enforcement of traffic regulations. Driver negligence and non-compliance with safety standards compound the risks.
