Egypt to toughen truck safety rules following fatal Ring Road accident

Daily News Egypt

6 hours ago

Egypt's Prime Minister has announced a series of measures, including financial support for victims' families and new road safety regulations, following a crash on the Regional Ring Road that killed 19 people.
The crash occurred early on Friday when a speeding heavy truck collided with a microbus carrying female workers from the village of Kafr El-Sanabsa. All 18 females onboard and the microbus driver were killed, while three others sustained injuries. The victims, described in state media as 'martyrs of livelihood,' were en route to their jobs when the collision occurred.
The force of the impact destroyed both vehicles. Emergency responders transferred the bodies and the injured to hospitals in Quesna, El-Bagour, Ashmoun, and Shebin El-Kom.
In response, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly followed up on directives issued by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi concerning compensation, road maintenance, and safety procedures.
The measures include direct support for the families of the 19 victims. Madbouly directed the Ministers of Education and Higher Education to grant a full exemption from all tuition fees for the bereaved families. He also instructed the Minister of Social Solidarity to disburse a special pension. To honour the victims, the Governor of Monufia was tasked with naming government buildings and streets in their home village of Kafr al-Sanabsa after the 19 deceased.
The government also introduced new regulations aimed at preventing similar incidents. Madbouly ordered the mandatory separation of private passenger cars and commercial trucks in areas undergoing maintenance and development. He also called for an increase in traffic patrols, speed radars, and surveillance cameras to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and to penalise violators.
Furthermore, the prime minister instructed authorities to implement regular, frequent, and unannounced drug testing for all truck drivers, particularly on highways. Legal action will be taken against those who test positive, and the government will study the possibility of imposing harsher penalties for such offences.
The prime minister said officials must complete all repairs and maintenance on the Regional Ring Road according to a strict schedule, with full adherence to safety protocols.
Dr. Madbouly stated that words of condolence and sympathy are insufficient to express the gravity of the tragedy. He added that he and the entire Cabinet deeply regret the accident, which has pained all Egyptians, stating, 'This loss is a loss we all share.'