According to data from the National Observatory for Road Traffic, the governorate of Sfax in Tunisia has recorded 170 road accidents since the beginning of the year, up to October 8, 2026. This marks a decrease of 87 accidents or 33.85% compared to the same period in 2025. The accidents resulted in 72 fatalities and 227 injuries. Sfax ranks seventh nationally in terms of the number of accidents, accounting for about 4.6% of the total accidents recorded nationwide.
The governorate of Sfax also ranks fourth nationally in terms of the number of fatalities, with 72 deaths, representing 6.85% of the total deaths recorded nationwide. Speeding is cited as the leading cause of road accidents in Sfax, with 46 incidents, followed by cases of distraction and lack of attention with 30 accidents, and failure to respect priority with 18 accidents. The National Guard reported 92 accidents, accounting for 54.12%, while the police reported 78 accidents, making up 45.88%.
In terms of the parties involved in the accidents, light vehicles are at the top of the list with 108 accidents, followed by motorcycles with 89 accidents, and then light trucks with 40 accidents. Regarding the number of fatalities, light vehicles and motorcycles each caused 37 deaths, while light trucks resulted in 22 fatalities. These numbers come as Sfax intensifies its efforts to reduce the risks of road accidents.
On October 7, 2026, the Governor of Sfax, Mohamed Hajri, presided over a meeting of the Regional Road Safety Committee. The meeting focused on examining the road situation, black spots, and factors affecting road users' safety. The meeting emphasized the transition from the diagnosis phase to actual field intervention by establishing a program for urgent interventions and regularly monitoring their implementation.
The interventions include installing speed reducers at sites that require them, repairing roads, addressing potholes and hazardous points, and enhancing public lighting, especially at intersections and areas with heavy traffic. Despite the decrease in the number of accidents, the continued increase in the number of fatalities highlights the challenges of reducing speed, addressing black spots, improving infrastructure, and enhancing awareness and monitoring.
The data indicates that the decrease in accidents has not prevented a continued rise in fatalities, making the reduction of speed, treatment of black spots, improvement of basic infrastructure and lighting, and enhancement of awareness and monitoring among the key challenges to limit road accidents in the governorate of Sfax. The authorities are working to implement measures to address these issues.
The situation in Sfax reflects a broader national concern with road safety. With 3708 accidents recorded nationwide, the government and local authorities are faced with the task of addressing the root causes of these accidents and implementing effective measures to prevent them. The focus on speeding as a primary cause of accidents in Sfax and the planned interventions aim to contribute to a reduction in road accidents and fatalities.
Key points
- Speeding is a leading cause of road accidents in Sfax, with 46 incidents recorded.
- Sfax ranks seventh nationally in terms of the number of accidents, with 170 incidents.
- The governorate of Sfax has recorded 72 fatalities and 227 injuries due to road accidents this year.
