Survey on the Causes of Road Traffic Accidents in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Background: Due to the stability and economic development in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, increase in the number of traffic crashes has been one of the serious challenges that local authorities have faced with. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of road traffic accidents (RTAs), road traffic injuries (RTIs), and their causes in Sulaimaniyah City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted based on the data collected from the Health Directorate/ MOH and the Traffic Department/ Ministry of Interior in Sulaimaniyah. A questionnaire was also used to collect required data from RTA casualties who were admitted to Sulaimaniyah Main Emergency Hospital during a ۶-month period from January first till the end of June ۲۰۱۴. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version ۲۱.۰. Results: Based on the results obtained from Sulaimaniyah Main Emergency Hospital, there were ۲۵۱ RTA victims in ۲۰۱۴ within the age range of ۱ to ۸۱ years. Moreover, RTAs led to the death of ۲۷۰ and ۲۸۰ individuals in ۲۰۱۲ and ۲۰۱۳, respectively. The main causes of RTAs were respectively over speeding (۳۳%), the sudden appearance of a vehicle (۱۳.۹%), and vehicle slip (۱۰.۴%), speeding (۴۸.۷%), followed by drowsiness of the drivers (۳۶.۹%), and drunken driving (۵.۶%). Conclusion: In order to reduce RTAs, the overall quality of roads, quality of cars, and general driving skills should be improved. Moreover, for decreasing the rate of crashes inside the city, public transport modes such as tram or train should be prepared.