Road accidents claim more lives in Algeria, Morocco

29/07/2007

Sixty people were killed and 1,110 were injured last week in traffic accidents in Algeria, Ech Chourouk quoted a National Gendarmerie statement as saying on Sunday (July 29th). A total of 610 traffic accidents occurred on Algerian streets between July 18th and 24th, the statement said. The main reasons for the accidents were "excessive speed", "loss of control", "negligence of pedestrians" and a "lack of respect for traffic signs". According to Ech Chourouk, despite stringent amendments to traffic laws, accidents are increasing at an alarming rate in the country, and now Algeria ranks fourth in the world and first in the Maghreb.

In Morocco, 24 people were killed and 1,194 injured last week in 927 road accidents, MAP reported. A police statement attributed the accidents to loss of control over vehicles, negligence of pedestrians and drivers, speeding, violating road rules, and driving under the influence. Road accidents in the country have increased by 3% yearly over the last decade, causing enormous economic losses, especially for the tourism sector. Losses are estimated at $1.2 billion a year, or 2.5% of GDP. (Ech Chourouk, MAP)