‘Remarkable’ rise in Tunisian traffic deaths starts debate on behaviour of drivers

The number of road deaths in Tunisia has risen by more than 30 per cent in the first few months of this year compared to the same period last year, the National Observatory for Traffic Safety said.

As of April 20, 317 people were reported dead and 1,987 injured, the agency’s spokesman Mourad Jouini told Mosaique radio on Monday.

Mr Jouini said that while the number of accidents was down on the same period last year, the increase in fatalities was a “remarkable” statistic.

The most common causes of accidents and fatalities were speeding, ignoring traffic signs and driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Motorists complained that improvements to infrastructure were needed to cope with the increasing number of vehicles on the roads.

Driver Mayssa Zitouni, 25, told The National: “The roads cannot accommodate us any more, and people start breaking the law just to get away from traffic whenever they’re stuck.

“We lack basic street signs, traffic lights sometimes don’t work and some roads don’t have clearly designated lanes and you just find yourself lost out there.” The agency’s latest figures showed most accidents happened in densely populated Tunis, followed by Nabeul, Gafsa and Mahdia governorates.

“It’s truly a forest out there. If you already know the road you’re good. If you don’t, you’ll face lots of surprises,” said Ms Zitouni, who believes many male drivers are hostile to women at the wheel.

“I was driving once and a guy with a bigger vehicle overtook my car and intentionally kept driving slowly to hinder me …

“I do not see that happening whenever my father is driving, for instance.”

Ms Zitouni said such behaviour puts all drivers in danger and inflames tempers.