Muscat – A total of 1,854 road accidents and 586 fatalities were recorded in Oman in 2024. According to figures released by National Centre for Statistics and Information, speeding and driver negligence were the leading causes of deadly crashes.

While the total number of accidents dropped from 2,040 in 2023 to 1,854 in 2024 – down by over 9% – the number of deaths remained high with only a marginal decrease from 595 fatalities in 2023. Injuries reduced from 2,129 to 1,936 in the same period.

Muscat governorate registered the highest number of accidents at 445, resulting in 420 injuries and 107 deaths. South Sharqiyah followed with 266 accidents and 311 injuries and 72 fatalities, though North Sharqiyah recorded the second highest number of deaths at 106. Other governorates with significant fatalities included Musandam (89 deaths) and Dakhliyah (67 deaths).

Speeding was attributed for the largest share of accidents – 768 – resulting in 808 injuries and 248 deaths. Negligence was the second most frequent cause, responsible for 324 accidents, 214 injuries and 136 fatalities. Other contributing factors included bad driving behaviour (99 deaths), overtaking (39 deaths) and tailgating (25 deaths).

Drunk driving resulted in 43 injuries and 13 deaths, while fatigue caused seven injuries and four deaths. Accidents due to vehicle defects led to 68 injuries and 15 deaths, while road infrastructure flaws caused nine injuries but no fatalities.

Authorities continue to urge motorists to exercise caution, follow speed limit and prioritise safety. “Persistently high number of deaths despite fewer accidents signals the need for greater public awareness and strict enforcement,” a traffic safety official said.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Royal Oman Police have launched several campaigns in recent years to address risky driving behaviour.

Three killed in truck collision in Ibri

Ibri – Three people died and another was critically injured in a collision between two trucks in the Al Rahba area of Ibri, Dhahirah on Sunday, according to Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority.

CDAA teams responded to the accident and provided emergency medical care to the injured individual at the site. The injured person was later transferred to a hospital for further treatment.

CDAA urged all road users to exercise caution, particularly on highways, and to comply with traffic safety regulations to prevent such tragedies.