The number of fatalities in the past year is the lowest since 2013. At the same time, there was also a 12% decrease in fatal accidents this year. Most of the decline was recorded on intercity roads, while the number of accidents within cities is similar to that in 2019.
The director general of the RALB, Brigadier General (Res.) Racheli Tevet-Wiesel, said: “More than 300 people lost their lives in road accidents in a year in which there were two closures and partial activity of the education system, the labor market and trade. These data require the continued investment of resources and their increase in favor of improving infrastructure, education and information activities, making vehicles safer, and increasing enforcement and driver training. “
In all age ranges, there was a decrease in the number of fatalities, except for the elderly population aged 65 and over, where there was a 3% increase in casualties compared to 2019.
This year, 5 regular (non-electric) cyclists were killed compared to 18 killed in 2019, while 20 electric cyclists were killed this year compared to 16 in 2019. In the worlds of heavy vehicles (bus and truck over 3.5 tons) there was a 19% drop in bus involvement and a decrease of 24 % In the number killed in truck involvement.
As in previous years, 77% of those killed in road accidents are men compared to 23% women. Also, in 2020 the deadliest month is August, the deadliest day of the week is Thursday, and the deadliest hours during the day are 7pm to 6pm.
Deputy Minister of Transportation and Road Safety Uri Maklev on the annual report published by the RALBD: “This is a welcome decrease in the rate of casualties, but at the same time we must not be complacent. The data require us to continue to fight to eradicate road accidents.” “A multi-year plan for a dramatic reduction in the rate of road accidents in Israel, we will make every effort to continue to fight for an increase in the budget for the various projects that we will have the tools and ability to strengthen the fight against road accidents.”
This report is updated for the moment of submission only, and may be updated later. The final number of fatalities will be officially determined only on Sunday 31 January 2021, and will include the injured and fatalities of all 2020, including those injured and deceased late in hospital up to 30 days from the accident. .