DAMMAM, 4 May 2003 — A study has shown that there are large numbers of people who continue to drive even if they have health problems which may influence their driving ability, according to Al-Watan daily.
The problems naturally affect other drivers and put people in unnecessary danger, the paper said.
Psychological problems account for 29 percent of accidents; blood problems also account for 29 percent; poor eyesight accounts for 21.8 percent; alcohol-related problems 6.9 percent; physical weakness 4.8 percent; diabetes 3.2 percent; and others the remaining 5.3 percent.
Annual Saudi losses in traffic accidents is estimated at SR2,153 million. The number of annual accident deaths is 4,000, and youngsters make up 40 percent of them.
In the past 30 years, Saudi losses because of traffic accidents are some SR21 billion. One third of hospital beds are occupied by those injured in traffic accidents.
