A fatal accident, which occurred in 2016 at the same place where George al-Rassi died last Saturday, along with a fellow passenger, Zeina Merhebi. (Courtesy of al-Marsad archives)
The tragic Saturday road accident that claimed the lives of George al-Rassi, a popular singer, and Zeina Merhebi, a fellow passenger in the car, has brought to the forefront road safety challenges that claim the lives of hundreds of victims every year in Lebanon. The singer hit a concrete block that was unsigned, in the middle of the highway near the Masnaa border crossing with Syria. How many drivers die like this every day? How responsible is the state or the driver? The director of the Youth Association for Social Awareness (YASA) spoke to L’Orient-Le Jour to address some of these questions.
How common are fatal road accidents across the country?
In August alone, according to Akl, there were 42 fatalities, well over one per day. They were killed in several of the 154 accidents, which also resulted in 187 injuries. Last July, there were 140 deaths due to road unsafety, while 210 people were injured.
These figures are constant in comparison with previous statistics but are considered high in relation to car traffic, which has decreased significantly this year due to an increase in fuel prices. The death toll is likely higher since the Traffic Management Center figures do not include those who are hospitalized and who die later on.
How much responsibility does the state have for road deaths?
The Ministries of the Interior and Public Works and Transport have neglected road safety. This failure has been accentuated since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2019, especially since the state lacks the necessary funds to ensure road maintenance and equipment surrounding it, such as streetlights. The cracked lanes are not asphalted, faulty traffic lights are not replaced or simply not on, unlit roads make it difficult to see clearly, and skewed joints (which keep traffic moving over bridges) are deteriorating without being repaired.
In addition, manhole covers have been stolen and not replaced. This type of theft, which began after the port blast in Aug. 2020, increased in the following months, while the government has been indifferent to these incidents. YASA had repeatedly urged the authorities to search for the perpetrators. It was only in March 2021 that some of these thieves were finally arrested, but in the meantime, the disappearance of manhole covers caused multiple accidents.
Another problem is that the officials unfortunately do not learn from the accidents. In recent years, several fatal accidents occurred in the same place where George al-Rassi ran into the block. No adequate sign was put in place, and the central breezeblock has not been equipped with shock-absorbing material to prevent further tragedies. On another level, the vehicles are no longer subject to a mechanical inspection. For the past two months, their owners have been paying taxes without being checked for compliance with safety standards. The reason? The State has not renewed the contract with the company in charge of the inspection and has not issued a new call for tenders.
Finally, the state does not enforce traffic laws, which are often violated by many drivers, and further exacerbated by the officials’ mismanagement.
What are the drivers blamed for and what do you recommend?
The behavior of many drivers is unsatisfactory. People driving against traffic, don't put on their seatbelts and plow through red lights (when they are on). In particular, young people are often driving under the influence of alcohol, driving at high speeds, and using their cell phones while behind the wheel. YASA has been attempting to advocate for safer driving for years, expressing cautionary tales through posters across highways and roads as part of national campaigns for safe driving awareness, which would read: “Don’t text and drive!” “If you love your parents, drive slowly!” “Don't let speed kill souls who love life.”
This article was originally published in French on L'Orient-Le Jour. Translation by Joelle El Khoury.
