National trends in road traffic injuries and fatalities in Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2023

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are a major public health concern globally, contributing significantly to injury-related morbidity and mortality. Saudi Arabia has historically experienced high RTC-related fatalities, but recent policy interventions, infrastructure improvements, and enforcement measures have aimed to reduce these numbers. This study analyzes long-term trends in RTC-related injuries and fatalities in Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2023 to assess the impact of these interventions. An open-data analysis was conducted using official records from the Saudi Open Data Portal, covering RTCs, injury rates, and fatalities over a 23-year period. Data were visualized and analyzed using Python software to explore spatial and temporal trends. Injury and mortality rates were examined across different regions. Findings indicate a significant decline in RTC-related injuries and fatalities, particularly after 2016, coinciding with the enforcement of Vision 2030 road safety initiatives. How-ever, regional disparities persist, with less urbanized areas such as Al Baha and Jazan exhibiting higher mortality rates per 100,000 population compared to urban regions. Additionally, a sharp increase in traffic violations between 2021 and 2022 suggests per-sistent challenges in compliance and enforcement. Saudi Arabia has made substantial progress in reducing RTC-related injuries and fatalities through policy interventions and enforcement strategies. However, continued efforts are needed to address regional disparities, improve emergency response systems, and enhance road safety compliance. Findings from this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and highlight areas requiring further attention to achieve sustainable reductions in RTCs and fatalities.