Spatial Variance of Traffic Accidents in Republic of Yemen, from: 2010 – 2014

Abstract

This study examined the spatial variance of traffic accidents in the Republic of Yemen in terms of their number, causes, multi-faceted effects. It aimed to show the evolution of these three elements in time, and their spatial distribution at the governorate level from 2010 to 2014, according to the annual statistics issued by the General Directorate of Traffic in the Ministry of Interior in Sana'a. The study intended also to highlight the large increase in traffic accidents number with a view to reduce them, address their causes and mitigate their negative effects. Despite their tendency, in general, towards decreasing since 2011, there are still many accidents. In 2014, the number of accidents reached 7178 accidents, resulting in 2065 deaths and 10227 human injuries, of which 49 % were severe injuries; the rest were minor injuries, and their financial losses amounted to two billion. Obviously, three-quarters of these accidents (74.9%) were caused by vehicle drivers, of which about 62% were made directly and the rest (12.9%) indirectly. However, it turned out that the occurrence of these accidents in the Republic of Yemen are due to a number of factors, the most important of which are: the lack of commitment to the traffic rules, the poor condition of roads connecting the towns and cities of the governorates, the lack of appropriate ambulances for those seriously injured in road accidents, hindering pedestrians from walking on the busy sidewalks of streets in cities, and the scarcity of crossings to cross those streets.