Speeding vehicle causes fatal collision with tuk-tuk in Basra

BASRA — A young tuk-tuk driver lost his life on Tuesday morning following a collision with a speeding vehicle on Abu Al-Khasib’s road, in the south of Basra governorate.

According to a security source, speaking to 964media, the crash occurred when the private vehicle driver, driving at excessive speed, struck the tuk-tuk from behind, causing it to overturn. The victim, in his twenties, died at the scene.

Locals from the site of incident noted that this road has witnessed several traffic incidents in recent days, attributing the cause to reckless driving and excessive speed. Authorities have yet to announce measures to address the issue.

Traffic incidents continue to be a significant concern across Iraq. According to the Ministry of Planning, 3,019 people lost their lives in road incidents in 2023, excluding the Kurdistan Region, with 79% of the incidents attributed to driver error. The year also saw 12,314 injuries, a slight decrease from the 12,677 reported in 2022. Other contributing factors include mechanical issues, inadequate road conditions, and unsafe pedestrian practices.