The challenges impeding traffic safety improvements in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Due to the stability and economic development in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) relative to its neighbors after 2005, the density of the population and number of vehicles have increased dramatically. This situation produced certain undesirable consequences socially, administratively, legislatively, technically, and economically. An increase in the number of traffic crashes was one of the serious challenges that local authorities faced. The objective of this study is to address the challenges of traffic safety improvement in the region. Based upon existing traffic-related situations in the KRI, some fundamental and priority recommendations are proposed such as improving traffic regulations and guidelines, creating a traffic crash database, and starting traffic safety training and education. It is crucial to address the challenges of impeding traffic safety improvement in the KRI.