Police Report: Arab Drivers Responsible for 52% of Fatal Accidents

YERUSHALAYIM

The scene of a serious accident between a bus and two cars on Route 89 in the northern Galilee, in 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)

A confidential report by the Israel Police revealed this week that despite being a minority population, Arab drivers are responsible for over half of fatal road accidents in the country.

According to data, the majority of accidents involve young drivers, between the ages of 17-23. And yet, despite their high involvement in accidents, only 40% of victims are Arab Israelis. Arab drivers make up 19% of all of Israel’s drivers.

The police report also said accidents are caused by lack of public transportation in the Arab sector, longer commutes, and poor condition of vehicles driven by Arab drivers.

It also showed that Arab drivers are involved in 36% of all traffic accidents, and 52% of fatal ones. They are predominantly involved in accidents on intercity roads (58%), 60% in fatal ones, and are found to have caused the accident in 80% of the cases.

“They usually leave the village, go on a rampage, run amok and cause accidents,” a law enforcement official said. “We are dealing with a serious problem that goes beyond the police. We need to make this a priority. Unlike in Jewish society, where for example when a driver is stripped of his driving license, he stops driving, In Arab society, many continue to drive and endanger the lives of all drivers on the road.”

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