Saudi Arabia’s high crash rate

Crashes present a large financial drain on Saudi Arabia’s GDP. The country’s high crash rate is reported to cost the country as much as US$5.33 billion/year, according to Arab News. Careless driving and tailgating are primary causes of crashes in Saudi Arabia, as well as eating, using mobile phone and speeding. The report says that around 40,000 injuries/year are caused by crashes. Worryingly, 80% of those with registered physical handicaps are as a result of crashes according to official figures while 30% of patients in hospitals across Saudi Arabia suffered those injuries in crashes.