As part of the extended discussions on the fight against traffic accidents, another discussion was held this morning (Tuesday) in the Knesset's Economics Committee - which specifically discussed traffic accidents in the Haredi sector.
According to committee member, MK Uri Maklev, chairman of the Road Safety Subcommittee, "The increase in the rate of road accidents in the Haredi sector is worrying, and it stems from a lack of optimal response in infrastructure, enforcement in public transportation, and information. A change in the attitude of those in charge can lead to a reduction in the number of accidents and casualties.".
During the discussion, data was presented showing that the rate of injury to ultra-Orthodox children in traffic accidents is 2.5 times higher than the national average.
Committee member Maklev said that when budgets for road safety training were cut in educational institutions, ultra-Orthodox students were the first to be affected. "Today, 70,000 children in Israel are not exposed to information or training on road safety," he said.
It also became clear that many road accidents result from poor road infrastructure, congestion and density of pedestrians and traffic - especially near and in the vicinity of educational institutions.
In addition, the Haredi sector has recorded a high rate of road accidents involving child transportation, because the Haredi sector uses transportation extensively to transport students to and from educational institutions.
However, in this regard, there has been a decrease in the number of road accidents in recent years due to awareness-raising measures and increased supervision and regulation of drivers.
The rate of public transportation involvement in road accidents in the Haredi sector is also higher - both passengers who are injured and pedestrians who are hit by buses.
""Public transportation is widely used. Hundreds of buses travel through narrow streets in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem and Bnei Brak and other Haredi cities every day, and this congestion affects the accident rate. In addition, there are also safety problems in public transportation itself, with many drivers involved in accidents," said MK Maklev, noting that the authorities need to invest resources in this area as well.
""Our duty is to deal with the data. With the right activity, we can reduce the rate of road accidents. This is our endeavor," Maklev said in the discussion, proposing a series of awareness-raising projects that can be carried out in the Haredi sector, with the central message being caution on the roads.
""The authorities must think about the Haredi public and allocate the necessary resources to it and to outreach activities, among other things through cooperation with local authorities, because through joint efforts it is possible to reduce traffic accident rates," he concluded.
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