Traffic accidents in Syria have risen noticeably in recent years, amid deteriorating road infrastructure.

In 2025, the Syrian Civil Defense teams responded to around 3,000 road accidents, reflecting the poor condition of roads and persistent problems such as sudden potholes, lack of street lighting, and the growing use of motorcycles as an unsafe means of transport.

Risks are particularly high on highways, where most accidents occur due to worn infrastructure, making urgent repairs necessary to prevent further loss of life.

Wissam Zaidan, the Syrian Civil Defense’s Search and Rescue official, told Enab Baladi that teams recorded about 3,000 responses to traffic accidents in 2025, averaging nearly eight incidents per day.

“Technical gaps”

Zaidan said accidents are not solely caused by human error, arguing that on the ground conditions are a key driver. He explained that highways and international roads recorded the highest share of traffic accidents due to “technical gaps” in infrastructure, including:

• Road decay and sudden potholes that catch drivers off guard on main and highway routes, leading to immediate loss of control.
• Lack of lighting and traffic signage on roads considered “dangerous”.
• Eroded road shoulders and poor drainage, which can cause deadly skidding during the rainy season as the asphalt layer deteriorates.

The rise in accidents is also linked to economic conditions that have made motorcycles a primary, low cost mode of transport for people trying to cope with the fuel crisis and the high cost of cars.

According to Zaidan, the widespread use of motorcycles as a daily alternative, combined with the lack of personal protection such as helmets and the fact that younger age groups often ride them, has increased human losses. Motorcycle injuries are often severe, he said, as these vehicles lack even basic structural safety standards in the event of a collision.

Turning data into action

Zaidan proposed a vision for reducing road accidents based on using field data as a tool for reform, including:

• Data as a geographic risk indicator: He called for using the Civil Defense’s accident response records as a roadmap for the Ministry of Transport and service authorities, to identify the areas with the highest accident rates and direct maintenance crews toward the most dangerous corridors instead of working randomly.
• Participatory planning: He suggested involving field teams in traffic planning and road rehabilitation processes to ensure proactive responses that address technical defects, such as potholes and lack of lighting, before they turn into fatal accidents.

175 deaths

Zaidan, the Syrian Civil Defense’s Search and Rescue Program official, told Enab Baladi that in 2025, teams responded to multiple accidents that injured about 2,600 people and recorded 175 deaths.

On 30 December 2025, Syria saw three separate accidents that killed ten people and injured others on the Damascus Homs, Daraa Damascus, and Palmyra Deir Ezzor roads. Civil Defense teams responded by providing first aid and transporting the injured and the bodies, while civilians helped move some victims before teams arrived.

These incidents underscore the continuing dangers on international roads and highways amid weak infrastructure and lack of lighting, reinforcing the need for sustained efforts to improve road safety.