The Tunisian government has launched a national strategy to reduce road accident deaths by 25% by 2030 and 50% by 2034. The strategy, presented by Saber Khefifi, director-general of the National Observatory for Road Safety, aims to achieve this goal through a multisectoral approach. This approach focuses on governance and accountability to ensure the objectives are met. The strategy was developed by a team of representatives from over 20 ministries.
The strategy consists of 168 projects to be implemented in partnership with the public and private sectors, civil society, and media. It is based on the "safe system" approach, which emphasizes shared responsibility among stakeholders. This approach analyzes road accidents globally, considering all factors that cause them, beyond their penal dimension. The strategy's main axes include road infrastructure, road user safety, multimodal urban transport, vehicle safety, and post-accident intervention.
Fraj Ben Brahim, permanent secretary of the National Road Safety Council, stated that the strategy prioritizes preserving human life and transforming the road safety system. He highlighted that the implementation device is built around five priority axes. These axes focus on improving road infrastructure, enhancing road user safety, and developing multimodal urban transport. The strategy also aims to revise the Road Code and establish a regulatory framework for motorcycle circulation and helmet use.
Several projects have already been implemented, including a prototype to detect counter-flow traffic infractions and a digital system for accident reporting and analysis. A pilot project for first-aid training has been launched in schools in the Manouba governorate. Additionally, trials have been conducted using devices to measure blood alcohol levels. A platform has been created to monitor the strategy's components and a project for an automatic and intelligent road infraction control system.
The government plays a central role in implementing the strategy, including developing infrastructure, addressing black spots, adapting the legislative framework, and mobilizing financial and human resources. Sami Khadhraoui, a member of the commission supervising the strategy, emphasized the role of municipalities as active partners in road accident prevention. He noted that the decree-law n° 4 of 2026 includes traffic fluidity among municipal services.
Saloua Fatnassi, representative of the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, presented the ministry's program to develop a regulatory framework for the sale of protective helmets. The ministry is working on defining technical standards to ensure product conformity and better protection for road users. The ministry aims to develop a cahier des charges for motorcycle manufacturing and assembly, expected to be ready in 2027.
The strategy's implementation will be monitored and evaluated to ensure its objectives are achieved. The government has committed to providing the necessary resources to support the strategy's implementation. With a comprehensive approach and collaboration among stakeholders, Tunisia aims to significantly reduce road accident deaths and create a safer road environment for its citizens.
Key points
- The strategy aims to reduce road accident deaths by 25% by 2030 and 50% by 2034.
- The strategy consists of 168 projects to be implemented in partnership with the public and private sectors, civil society, and media.
- The government plays a central role in implementing the strategy, including developing infrastructure and mobilizing financial and human resources.
