New data regarding safety failures on the roads of Judea and Samaria

New data regarding safety failures on the roads of Judea and Samaria

Last week, the Knesset's Economics Committee held a meeting regarding the monitoring of road accidents in Judea and Samaria. The committee was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defense, Minister of Transportation, Meirav Michaeli, the police, the Yesha Council, the director general of the Ministry of Internal Security, and professionals from other relevant government ministries.

The committee chairman, MK Michael Bitton, presented the shortcomings and failures and demanded comprehensive and rapid treatment for the preservation of human life. MK Orit Struck, who initiated the discussion, presented a serious report prepared by the Knesset Information Center on enforcement failures in the area that included troubling data.

The rate of fatal accidents involving residents of the Palestinian Authority is particularly high at 14%, while the rate of fatal accidents involving Israelis is only 5%. By the end of 2021, close to 410,000 fines had been imposed on residents of the Palestinian Authority, yet they remained unpaid.

This amounts to 75% of the fines that are not paid, resulting in serious harm to deterrence and law-enforcement efforts.

David Elhayeni, chairman of the Yesha Council and head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, told the committee: “The population of Judea and Samaria has doubled in the last decade, but the Israel Police has reduced its presence by 30 percent, this is nothing short of a scandal. The police on the ground are doing their best but it's a drop in the ocean. The state must wake up and change strategy, only a comprehensive political plan will succeed in preventing the next victim."

In recent years, the Yesha Council has promoted the Master Plan for Transportation in the Development of Roads and Safety Infrastructures, but there is no organized information system about Palestinian Authority drivers traveling on the roads and recklessly breaking the law.

Elhayani demanded that the Ministry of Homeland Security increase its manpower and mobility, and produce an effective enforcement system in order to enhance road safety.