Dangerous freedom: 379 children injured in traffic accidents this summer — cities with the most alarming statistics
Data from the 'Or Yarok' association, based on CBS figures, indicates that eight children were killed and 60 seriously injured during the summer months of 2025. Haifa leads in the injury rate, followed by Acre and Hadera.
During the summer months and school vacation period of 2025, 379 children under the age of 14 were injured in traffic accidents. Eight of them were killed, and 60 sustained serious injuries. This is according to data from the 'Or Yarok' association, based on figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
'Or Yarok' experts warn that summer vacation is a period of heightened danger for children on the roads, primarily due to the lack of organized supervision during the day.
City ranking by child injury rate
The organization analyzed data on traffic accidents involving children (0–14) during June, July, and August over the last five years (2021–2025). The rates were calculated per thousand children in cities with a population of over 50,000.
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Haifa ranks first with a rate of 0.27 injured per thousand children (an average of 16 cases per summer).
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Acre is in second place (0.25 injured, an average of 3 cases).
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Hadera ranks third (0.209 injured, an average of 5 cases).
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Ashkelon is in fourth place (0.207 injured, an average of 8 cases).
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Petah Tikva rounds out the top five (0.205 injured, an average of 13 cases).
For comparison, Tel Aviv-Yafo ranks 14th (0.13), and Jerusalem ranks 19th (0.12). Although the capital recorded the highest absolute number of injuries, it ranks lower in terms of accident density when accounting for population size.
Situation in specific sectors
Among Haredi cities, the rates were as follows: Beitar Illit (23rd place, 0.105), Bnei Brak (32nd place, 0.07), and Modi'in Illit (41st place, 0.02).
Among Arab municipalities, Umm al-Fahm ranks 18th (0.128), Rahat is 29th (0.081), and Nazareth is 30th (0.078).
"Summer vacation is the time when the risk of children being involved in traffic accidents reaches its peak. These data obligate the Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with mayors, to develop a comprehensive program to identify 'red' streets and intersections that pose a threat," said 'Or Yarok' CEO, Adv. Yaniv Yaakov. "It is necessary to limit driving speeds in areas with a high concentration of children, such as near schools, parks, and community centers."
Yaakov also noted that over 30 children have already been killed in traffic accidents since the beginning of the year, and there is a risk that the figure could reach 50 by year-end—the worst result in 20 years. "Children will always behave like children. Instead of placing the responsibility on them, we must ensure a safe environment that is forgiving of mistakes," he concluded.
