Minister of Interior Chairs Higher Council for Traffic Safety Meeting
Minister of Interior Mazen Al-Faraya chaired a meeting of the Higher Council for Traffic Safety this morning, Wednesday, in the presence of the Director of Public Security, Major General Dr. Obaidallah Maaytah, and members of the Council. The meeting was held in implementation of the provisions of Higher Council for Traffic Safety Regulation No. 2 of 2024 and in accordance with the requirements of Article (17 bis) of Traffic Law No. (49) of 2008 and its amendments.
Minister Al-Faraya emphasized the importance of the Council's meetings and their practical outcomes in achieving the expected vision and measuring the impact of progress in traffic safety in the Kingdom, based on the measures taken by the Council in legislative, procedural, and infrastructure contexts. The Minister emphasized the need for the Council to bring about positive, practical change in the field of traffic safety, and the importance of unifying the efforts of all parties concerned with traffic safety and leveraging their human, logistical, and digital capabilities to ensure the Council's success, in addition to creating a sense of partnership and integration among these parties. Al-Faraya also pointed out the need to implement the requirements of the National Traffic Safety Strategy for the years 2024-2028, most notably the consideration of the implementation plan for traffic safety emanating from this strategy during this meeting.
In this context, the Council reviewed the implementation plan emanating from the National Traffic Safety Strategy. This plan was approved in accordance with the requirements of Paragraph (b) of Article (17 bis) of the Traffic Law. This plan includes (50) projects and (28) programs and activities. Each of these projects and programs contains a description card, identifying the necessary funding source, the relevant authorities for implementation, and the timelines for completing implementation.
The Council also discussed the issue of sites that pose a risk to traffic safety (black spots) and the measures taken to address them. It was found that (56) sites have been addressed, and work is currently underway to address (8) sites. Furthermore, the relevant authorities, through technical committees, have identified the dangerous sites (black spots) for the second phase of the plan to address these sites. Remediation procedures will be implemented in accordance with the applicable traffic safety considerations. On the other hand, the Council discussed the issue of providing financial allocations and the need to monitor the financial needs required in the field of traffic safety within the budget projects of relevant authorities for the year 2026, especially since this period is the stage for preparing budget projects.
In the same context, the Council discussed the work of the traffic safety committees in the governorates and their various achievements, such as installing concrete and metal barriers in dangerous locations, removing billboards that obstruct vision, and installing traffic signs in several locations.
The Director of Public Security emphasized that traffic management on the roads is a collaborative effort by all relevant authorities to reduce road accidents. He also highlighted the vital role of the Public Security Directorate in this area and its willingness to provide all the necessary expertise and data to the relevant authorities to ensure the Council's success in carrying out its tasks and duties. The Assistant Director of Public Security for Traffic also presented a briefing on traffic safety and artificial intelligence, demonstrating the results of using the smart surveillance camera (HOLOWITS – HUAWI) and the TMS (Traffic Management System), a smart city system that utilizes AI algorithms integrated with other AI systems. Studies conducted by the Public Security Directorate, measuring the impact of smart camera use based on AI programs, also showed an increase in driver seatbelt use, reaching 97.4%. These studies also showed a decrease in the number of deaths resulting from traffic accidents in 2024, reaching 1.4 deaths per day, compared to 1.5 deaths per day in 2023. The report also confirmed a decrease in the number of traffic accidents in 2024 compared to 2023.
For its part, the Council commended the awareness of Jordanian citizens, their constructive interaction with applicable legislation, and their commitment to traffic rules, which had a positive and effective impact on improving digital readings related to traffic safety. The Council also called on fellow citizens to continue adhering to the provisions of relevant legislation, observe traffic rules, and prioritize citizen safety and the preservation of lives in the traffic equation.
The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at improving traffic conditions and raising traffic safety indicators in all governorates of the Kingdom.