West Bank dash cams aim to cut accidents, improve driving
The Palestinian Ministry of Transportation is equipping road safety patrol vehicles with cameras to monitor traffic in an attempt to reduce accidents.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — West Bank drivers: Smile for the camera and consider yourselves warned.
The Palestinian Ministry of Transportation is equipping safety patrol vehicles with cameras to capture traffic violations on roads between Palestinian cities. Transportation Minister Assem Salem said in a May 28 press release the new approach is intended "to achieve a safe traffic environment and reduce road accidents, which kill or injure citizens and destroy their property.”
Salem added, “The ministry, in cooperation with the traffic police, will impose a series of penalties and legal proceedings against violators of traffic laws." Most notably, penalties will include withdrawing licenses, impounding vehicles and forcing offending drivers to take training courses.
Accidents and deaths significantly increased in the West Bank in 2018. According to Palestinian police statistics, there were 12,829 accidents — an 11.2% increase over 2017. Accidents in 2018 killed 125 people, a rise of 16% over 2017 when 108 deaths were recorded.
