Traffic accidents in Lebanon are rising at an alarming rate, with fresh figures highlighting a deepening road safety crisis that experts say demands urgent government intervention.

According to the Traffic Management Center, 11 accidents were recorded over the past 24 hours alone, resulting in three fatalities and ten injuries. The rising toll is stirring public anxiety, with Lebanon’s roads increasingly referred to as “moving graveyards” for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

But what is driving this sudden increase? Are new factors compounding Lebanon’s already already known road safety challenges?

Ziad Akl, President of the YASA road safety organization, described the situation as “escalating,” citing a growing number of deaths and injuries alongside widespread underreporting of accidents, which, he said, further distorts the true scale of the crisis.

“We are witnessing a worsening problem in the transport sector, with a sharp rise in casualties. Many crashes go unregistered, which undermines our ability to implement effective safety measures,” Akl told Kataeb.org.

He explained that the summer season typically brings an uptick in transportation activity due to school and university closures and a boost in tourism, which in turn results in more frequent traffic violations.

But Akl warned that the root of the crisis lies in a near-total breakdown in law enforcement.

“There is an almost complete absence of traffic law enforcement, which is fueling chaos on our roads,” he said. “Major violations, such as the use of unregulated tuk-tuks and motorcycles, are rampant. Meanwhile, the suspension of mandatory vehicle inspections has directly contributed to the recent rise in deadly truck accidents.”

Akl expressed hope that the Ministry of Public Works would intensify road maintenance efforts, and praised some newly elected municipalities for taking initiatives to improve road safety. 

Still, he criticized the absence of the parliamentary Public Works Committee, which he said should be overseeing traffic law enforcement and transportation sector reform.

Akl also raised alarms over a growing trend: children riding motorcycles with no helmets, saying this poses a serious threat to public safety. Akl urged all motorcyclists to comply with Lebanon’s traffic laws.

Beyond enforcement, Akl emphasized the importance of education and awareness campaigns. He called on school and university administrators to engage more actively in promoting a culture of traffic safety.

On another front, Akl called on school and university administrators to engage more actively in promoting a culture of traffic safety.

“We’re also partnering with hospitals to ensure newborns are transported home safely after birth using proper car seats,” he added, highlighting YASA’s broader commitment to road safety from day one of life.

According to data published by YASA, Lebanon recorded 876 road accidents between January and the end of May 2025. Those incidents left 162 people dead and 1,034 injured.

With no signs of the crisis easing, experts warn that unless serious steps are taken, the human toll on Lebanon’s roads will only continue to rise.