Over 3,000 casualties in road accidents in Morocco; severez drain on economy

Some 3,761 people died and 81,365 others were injured (including 52,137 seriously wounded) in 52,137 road accidents in Morocco in 2002, according to official figures released Wednesday.

Annual losses resulting from these accidents were estimated at 11 billion Dhs (US $1.1 billion), that is 2.5 percent of the GDP, said the Moroccan transport equipment and ministry on the occasion of the presentation of a road security emergency plan for 2003-2005. under the plan, "emergency actions" will be taken to reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents.

The plan programs to reinforce coordination between the different bodies in charge of road security, the implementation of control and prevention measures, the modernization of the driving license system of exam, and the reform of the legislative framework in relation to road security.

In addition, emergency measures will be taken to reinforce roads infrastructure and urban roads maintenance, improve the quality of care provided to victims of accidents and develop the efficiency of awareness campaigns that will target the most vulnerable categories, particularly children.

Presenting this plan, minister of equipment and transport, Karim Ghellab deplored that Morocco is listed among the countries that are most affected by road accidents.