Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), also known as road traffic collisions, occur when vehicles collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or fixed objects. While some incidents result only in property damage, others lead to severe injuries or death. In Somaliland, road traffic accidents have escalated into a major public health and development crisis.

In late 2025, the President of Somaliland declared road traffic accidents a national emergency. Official data indicate that in the five years leading up to 2026, approximately 37,000 accidents occurred nationwide, resulting in more than 1,000 fatalities and an estimated 25,000 injuries. These figures reflect not only human loss but also significant economic and social costs to families, communities, and the health system.

Drivers of Road Traffic Accidents

The high incidence of MVAs in Somaliland is driven by a convergence of infrastructure, vehicle, behavioral, and regulatory factors.

Road infrastructure remains a critical challenge. Many primary highways were constructed decades ago and were not designed for current traffic volumes or heavy freight transport. Most intercity roads are single carriageways, making overtaking maneuvers inherently dangerous. Poor maintenance, including potholes and eroded shoulders, forces abrupt vehicle movements, increasing the risk of collisions. In addition, the absence of adequate signage, reflective markings, and street lighting significantly heightens the danger of night driving.

A structural vehicle mismatch further compounds risk. Somaliland drives on the right side of the road, yet most vehicles are imported second‑hand from Japan and are right‑hand drive. In this configuration, drivers are seated on the curb side, reducing forward visibility when attempting to overtake. On two‑lane highways, drivers often encroach into the opposing lane simply to assess traffic conditions, leading to a high rate of head‑on collisions.

Human behavior and limited training play a significant role. Excessive speed is consistently reported as a leading cause of fatal crashes, particularly in urban centers such as Hargeisa and along the Berbera Corridor. Driving under the influence of khat, a widely used stimulant, impairs judgment, increases irritability, and contributes to fatigue after its effects subside. Additionally, many drivers operate vehicles without formal instruction or valid licensing, resulting in poor understanding of traffic rules and right‑of‑way.

Vehicle condition and weak regulatory oversight add to the burden. The importation of used vehicles is unregulated, with minimal enforcement of mechanical safety standards. Tire failures, brake malfunctions, and steering defects are common, especially under hot temperatures and heavy loads. At the policy level, enforcement of road safety legislation has historically been inconsistent. Until recently, seatbelt use, motorcycle helmets, and child restraints were not subject to strict enforcement. Post‑crash care is also limited, with inadequate emergency response systems and few ambulances or trauma facilities outside major cities.

A Safe System Approach to Prevention

Reducing road traffic injuries in Somaliland requires adoption of a “Safe System” approach, which shifts responsibility beyond individual drivers to include road designers, vehicle regulators, and policymakers. Following the National Road Safety Conference in late 2025, the government endorsed a seventeen‑point resolution structured around four key pillars.

Legislative and policy reform forms the foundation for behavior change. Priorities include amending existing traffic laws to mandate seatbelt use, prohibit handheld mobile phone use while driving, and require vehicles to carry basic first‑aid kits. Introducing compulsory nationwide vehicle insurance can ensure victim compensation while reinforcing accountability. Establishing a dedicated Road Safety Fund would provide sustainable financing for infrastructure improvements and safety initiatives.

Infrastructure and engineering improvements are essential to reducing the severity of crashes. Planned upgrades to the Berbera Corridor, including dual carriageway sections, aim to separate opposing traffic flows and reduce head‑on collisions. Enhanced signage, reflective road markings, speed limit indicators, and solar‑powered lighting should be installed at high‑risk locations. In urban areas, pedestrian bridges and sidewalks are critical to separating foot traffic from high‑speed vehicles.

Vehicle and mechanical standards must address the risks posed by the current fleet. Incentives for importing new left‑hand drive vehicles, combined with higher tariffs on older, high‑mileage cars, can gradually modernize the fleet. Mandatory vehicle inspection centers should be established to assess roadworthiness, focusing on brakes, steering, and tires. Speed governors on commercial trucks and public transport vehicles would further reduce crash severity.

Public health and emergency response capacity determines survival when crashes occur. A national trauma registry, coordinated through a proposed Somaliland Center for Disease Control, would enable systematic collection and analysis of injury data. An integrated ambulance and trauma care network, particularly along major highways, is essential to reducing preventable deaths. Training commercial drivers in basic first aid can improve immediate care in rural and remote areas where professional responders are delayed.

Leveraging Data for Policy and Action

Integrating a National Trauma Registry into Somaliland’s emerging digital health architecture would transform road safety management from reactive to evidence‑driven. Mobile, offline‑capable data collection by traffic police and ambulance teams can capture crash location, injury mechanisms, and severity scores. Interoperable systems using national health identifiers would allow patient records to follow individuals across facilities.

At the analytical level, centralized dashboards and geospatial mapping can identify high‑risk corridors and “black spots,” guiding targeted interventions. Predictive analytics can help anticipate seasonal or event‑related risk periods, enabling pre‑positioning of emergency resources. Regular injury surveillance reports would strengthen policy formulation, budgetary planning, and public awareness campaigns.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)