Tunis – The National Road Safety Observatory has revealed alarming figures regarding road traffic fatalities in Tunisia. It reported a 10.48% increase in deaths between the beginning of this year and July 18, 2026, reaching 695 fatalities, compared to 629 during the same period last year (2025).
A decrease in the number of accidents and injuries
Despite the increase in the death toll, official statistics published by the observatory indicated a 19.24% decrease in the total number of accidents. 2,473 accidents were recorded since the beginning of the year, compared to 3,062 during the same period in 2025.
The number of injuries also decreased, by 19.46%, from 3,993 last year to 3,216 as of last Thursday.
Speed and negligence: the number two killers on the roads
Analyzing the causes of these accidents, the observatory’s data showed that “negligence and inattention” topped the list as the leading cause, accounting for 28.4%. “Speed” came in second, causing 561 accidents, or 22.7% of the total recorded accidents.
However, when examining the ranking of causes of death, the priorities have shifted. “Speeding” has become the leading cause of death, claiming the lives of 266 people from the beginning of the year until July 18th. This underscores the direct correlation between excessive speed and the severity of accidents resulting in fatal injuries.
Note regarding data accuracy
In addressing these figures, the National Road Safety Observatory emphasized that the statistics announced for 2026 are preliminary. The Observatory clarified that they are based on the latest available data and stressed that they are subject to daily updates based on information received from official sources monitoring the traffic situation in the country. These figures serve to reinforce warnings about the need for caution on the roads and adherence to speed limits and traffic regulations, particularly given the recorded increase in the severity of fatal accidents, despite a decrease in the overall frequency of accidents on the Tunisian road network.
