Afternoon Hours Peak as Most Dangerous Time on Israeli Roads, Data Shows
A new Or Yarok analysis reveals afternoon hours are the most dangerous on Israeli roads, peaking due to heavy traffic, school dismissals, and driver fatigue across major cities.
Afternoon hours are the most dangerous time of day on Israeli roads, according to a special analysis conducted by the "Or Yarok" association based on Central Bureau of Statistics data. The findings reveal a concerning picture: the number of traffic casualties begins to climb in the morning hours alongside commuter traffic and educational institutions, continues to rise throughout the day, and peaks in the afternoon hours.
Peak Hours Across Major Cities
A breakdown of the data by cities highlights clear variations among major urban centers across the country:
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Tel Aviv-Yafo: The most dangerous hour is between 16:00 and 17:00 with 59 casualties, followed by 17:00–18:00 with 52 casualties.
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Jerusalem: The peak number of casualties was recorded between 17:00 and 18:00 with 51 casualties, alongside another hazardous hour from 20:00 to 21:00 with 48 casualties.
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Haifa: The 15:00–16:00 slot led with 45 casualties, while the early afternoon hours saw 41 casualties per hour.
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Beersheba: Peak hours concentrate around noon and afternoon, specifically 13:00–14:00 and 15:00–16:00 with 37 casualties each.
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Ashdod: The 16:00–17:00 hour leads with 31 casualties, followed by 15:00–16:00 with 24 casualties.
Police Presence and Safety Recommendations
Adv. Yaniv Yaakov, CEO of the Or Yarok association, pointed to an immediate solution for the crisis:
"Afternoon hours constitute the vulnerability point of the day mainly due to traffic congestion. The way to reduce the high number of casualties during these hours is a massive and large presence of police officers on main roads. Such a presence will create an atmosphere that deters traffic violations, restrains rushing drivers, and reduces aggressive driving."
Traffic police currently suffer from a shortage of hundreds of patrol cars and officers, making it essential to reinforce the traffic division. Additionally, as darkness falls, changing road conditions, reduced visibility, and accumulated driver fatigue significantly increase accident risks.
