DAMMAM: Saudi Arabia witnesses a traffic accident every minute and 65 percent of them happen in cities and towns, Sultan Al-Zahrani, secretary-general of Traffic Safety Committee in the Eastern Province, has said.

The economic losses incurred due to accidents is approximately SR 21 billion each year, he added.

“In light of this, the number of deaths each year resulting from traffic accidents surpasses 7,000 across the county, Al Zahrani was quoted as saying by local media.

The Kingdom ranks first in the Gulf, and possibly in the world, with regard to the number of vehicle-related deaths, he said. For every 100,000 individuals, there are 21 deaths due to road accidents each year, he said.

According to Al-Zahrani, a committee is currently implementing a strategic plan to decrease the number of accidents in the Kingdom by 30 percent over the next ten years. However, the committee would prefer to achieve this goal within the next six years. A total of 40 experts from ARAMCO are currently working around the clock to implement the strategy.

In addition to this, the committee has set up an ARAMCO Chair for Traffic Safety at the Dammam University and is creating a Bachelor of Arts Program in Transport Engineering and Traffic, he said.

“It is the first of its kind on the international level, with the exception of similar programs in Australia and the United States.”

Al-Zahrani said that according to statistics of 2014, 70 percent of fatal accidents occur on highways, with Al-Ahsa reporting the highest number of cases — 35 percent of the total.

“There are various reasons for the accidents, but it has been discovered that skidding is the main cause, at 41 percent. The use of mobile phones accounts for 20 percent of all accidents,” he said.

Al-Zahrani said 33 percent of incidents are collision and 15 percent knocking down of pedestrians. “Notably, 50 to 60 percent of those involved in accidents are aged below 30. Around 54 percent of the total number of accidents in the Kingdom are caused by Saudis,” he added