Authorities issue warning after over 200 cars caught speeding up to 250 km/h in pilgrimage traffic

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s General Traffic Directorate seized more than 210 vehicles driven at extreme speeds ranging from 200 to 250 kilometers per hour during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, according to the Higher Security Committee for Mass Pilgrimages.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after Ashura, the day Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. The annual pilgrimage draws millions of visitors to Karbala.

Committee spokesperson Miqdad Miri said that the “crazy” speeding posed “a direct threat to the safety of their lives and the lives of other road users.”

He added that legal measures were taken against the drivers. “We urge all drivers to completely avoid excessive speed and fully comply with traffic instructions and safety procedures to protect the security and safety of everyone,” Miri said.

Earlier today, the committee urged citizens and drivers to adhere to speed limits and ensure their vehicles meet safety standards.

The warnings came a day after a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims overturned in Basra, killing seven people and injuring 43.

In early June, the Ministry of Planning reported a 10% decrease in traffic fatalities in 2024 compared to the previous year. The annual report recorded 11,763 traffic incidents across all governorates excluding the Kurdistan Region. Of these, 2,103 were classified as fatal, resulting in 2,719 deaths — down from 3,019 in 2023. Men accounted for the majority of fatalities, with 2,235 deaths, or roughly 82% of the total.

Despite the decline in fatalities in 2024, officials continue to cite serious challenges. Neglect, conflict-related damage, and long-standing corruption have left much of Iraq’s transportation infrastructure in poor condition, compounding risks already elevated by speeding, distracted driving, and insufficient enforcement.