586 dead, 1,936 injured in Oman road crashes in 2024: NCSI report
Despite stricter laws, awareness drives, speeding, negligence remain leading causes
Muscat: A total of 586 people lost their lives and 1,936 were injured in 1,854 road accidents across Oman in 2024, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
While traffic accidents have declined by over 9% compared to 2023 — when 2,040 incidents were reported — the death toll remains alarmingly high, only marginally lower than last year’s 595 fatalities. Injuries also dipped slightly from 2,129 in 2023.
Muscat and Sharqiyah worst hit
Muscat governorate saw the highest number of accidents (445), resulting in 420 injuries and 107 deaths.
South Sharqiyah recorded 266 accidents, 311 injuries, and 72 deaths.
North Sharqiyah logged 106 fatalities, despite fewer total accidents.
Other regions with high fatalities include Musandam (89 deaths) and Dakhliyah (67 deaths).
Speeding and negligence leading killers
Despite stringent traffic laws, awareness campaigns, and heavy penalties, speeding and driver negligence continue to dominate as the top causes of fatal crashes:
Speeding caused 768 accidents, 808 injuries, and 248 deaths.
Negligent driving led to 324 accidents, 214 injuries, and 136 deaths.
Other causes:
Bad driving behaviour: 99 deaths
Overtaking: 39 deaths
Tailgating: 25 deaths
Drunk driving: 13 deaths, 43 injuries
Driver fatigue: 4 deaths, 7 injuries
Vehicle defects: 15 deaths, 68 injuries
Road flaws: 9 injuries, 0 deaths
So far in August 2025, 14 more people have died in road accidents, according to Royal Oman Police (ROP).
Insurance claims reflect scale of damage
According to the Financial Services Authority (FSA):
75,200 total traffic accidents were reported to insurers in 2024
18,552 serious accidents
56,600+ minor accidents
Insurance claims totalled 76,500, down 4.1% from 2023
Total compensation paid dropped by 6.3% to OMR 21.1 million ($54.9 million)
Breakdown of 2024 claims:
Minor accidents:
56,000+ claims
OMR 9.5 million compensation (↓ 6% from 2023)
Serious accidents (material damage only):
9,866 claims
OMR 7.5 million (↑ 5.8%)
Injury-related serious accidents:
10,000+ claims
OMR 3.5 million (↓ 12.9%)
Fatal accidents:
Smallest category but with OMR 0.54 million in compensation (↑ 2.3%)
-- Fahad Al Mukrashi is a freelance journalist based in Oman
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