The Road to Zero: Data, Strategy, and The Future of Road Safety in Saudi Arabia
By Hassan Mohammad Alyahya
The journey of road safety in Saudi Arabia is a powerful narrative of national transformation, best understood through the clear lens of data. We have moved from a period of crisis to one of commendable progress, yet the path to the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 requires a strategic evolution. The initial phase focused on rapid, high-impact interventions. The next must leverage systemic, technology-driven solutions to overcome persistent challenges.
The following table encapsulates our past struggles, present achievements, and the future we can build with the right policies.
The Evolution of Road Safety in KSA: A Statistical Journey
The Present Challenge: Evolving Beyond the First Wave of Success
Our success with the Saher system proved that enforcement can dramatically alter driver behavior. However, this first wave has revealed more complex challenges. As speeding is curbed, distracted driving—particularly from mobile phone use—has emerged as a dominant, less-deterred threat. Furthermore, our focus on pre-crash punishment has left other phases of a collision under-addressed.
A Three-Phase Strategy for the Next Decade
To achieve the "Expected Future" in the table, we must implement a strategy that covers the entire accident sequence:
Pre-Crash: The Era of Prevention. We must shift from solely penalizing bad behavior to actively preventing it. Mandating life-saving ADAS—like automatic emergency braking—in all new vehicles is the single most effective step. This technology provides a critical safety net for human error.
During the Crash: The Science of Survival. When a crash is unavoidable, vehicle engineering and occupant restraint determine survival. The persistently low rear-seat belt usage is a silent crisis. Coupled with promoting global crash-test standards, a concerted push for 100% seatbelt compliance is non-negotiable.
Post-Crash: Winning the Golden Hour. The final battle is fought after the impact. Enhancing emergency response through mandatory e-call systems and citizen first-aid training can drastically improve survival rates, especially in remote areas.
The Corporate Blueprint: A Lesson from the Frontline
My experience implementing Saudi Aramco’s Journey Management System provided a blueprint for national success. We did not see a journey as simple transit, but as a managed operation with defined risks—fatigue, distance, vehicle fitness. The results, as the data shows, were transformative. This model of proactive, system-wide risk management, treating driving as a high-risk task, is what we must now scale across the nation.
Conclusion: The Integrated Path to Vision 2030
The data tells a story of potential. The proven 70% reduction in corporate incidents and the 47% crash prevention capability of ADAS are not theoretical; they are achievable assets. The future of Saudi road safety lies in integrating these assets into a cohesive national system.
By mandating technology, modernizing enforcement, and scaling best-practice models, we can transition from merely managing accidents to systematically preventing them. The goal of Vision 2030 is within reach, but it demands that we build a smarter, more forgiving road system that protects every citizen at every stage of their journey.
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Jermakian, J. S. (2011). Crash avoidance potential of four passenger vehicle technologies. Accident Analysis & Prevention.
Saudi Aramco. (2023). Road Safety and Fleet Management Standards.
World Health Organization. (2023). Global Status Report on Road Safety.
