Suriname targets 50% reduction in traffic fatalities by 2030

Suriname has launched a Strategic Plan for Road Safety 2026-2030, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent by the year 2030. The plan addresses a critical safety situation where 57 people died in the first seven months of 2026, following 61 deaths in 2025. Additionally, 2,259 people required emergency medical care due to traffic accidents during the same period.

Significant challenges hinder these safety goals. The country currently lacks a centralized database for traffic statistics, as data is fragmented across various ministries and institutes. Furthermore, there is no public ambulance service for pre-hospital care; victims in areas like Paramaribo and Wanica—where 57 percent of fatal accidents occur—often rely on private vehicles or private ambulances to reach the Academic Hospital Paramaribo.

Implementation of the safety plan faces obstacles including political influence, limited financial resources, and a shortage of competent personnel. The proposed strategy focuses on improving road infrastructure, vehicle safety, driver behavior, and post-accident care.