Egypt Daily News – In response to a series of deadly road accidents that have provoked national outrage, Egypt’s Ministry of Interior has launched large-scale traffic enforcement campaigns across the country, following direct orders from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Over a 24-hour period, traffic authorities issued more than 73,000 citations for various violations. These ranged from driving without a license and excessive speeding to illegal parking, mobile phone use while driving, and non-compliance with vehicle licensing conditions.
The crackdown has been especially focused on the Regional Ring Road, a high-risk area recently marked by two fatal accidents. In this zone alone, police recorded 744 additional violations in a single day, including driving against traffic, unauthorized transport of passengers, and mechanical safety breaches.
Drug Use and Criminal Offenses Among Drivers
In parallel with these efforts, police conducted roadside drug testing on 355 drivers. Of those, 48 tested positive for narcotics. Authorities also arrested 36 individuals wanted in connection with a combined total of 136 court rulings and impounded seven vehicles for serious breaches of traffic law.
Mounting Tragedies Prompt Government Action
The increased enforcement follows a wave of deadly accidents, the latest of which occurred just yesterday in Monufia Governorate. A bus collision on a maintenance section of the Regional Ring Road resulted in 10 deaths and 12 injuries. The week prior, 18 young women and their bus driver were killed when a truck—driven the wrong way by a narcotics-impaired driver—collided with their vehicle.
The repeated incidents have led to growing public anger and calls for accountability. In response, President El-Sisi ordered the temporary closure of road sections under renovation and mandated the implementation of safe and effective detours. The directive aims to ensure citizen safety and accelerate the completion of infrastructure work.
Restoring Order on Egypt’s Roads
President El-Sisi has also instructed the Ministry of Interior to intensify law enforcement on all roads, emphasizing the importance of controlling speed, vehicle loads, and legal compliance to protect both lives and public property.
The government’s response signals a more assertive stance toward road safety enforcement in the wake of mounting public pressure and a concerning rise in traffic fatalities.
