Yom Kippur Traffic Accidents: Hundreds Injured Annually on Empty Israeli Roads
Despite empty roads on Yom Kippur, hundreds of injuries occur annually in Israel from cycling and electric scooter accidents, averaging 12 casualties per hour according to Or Yarok data.
Yom Kippur in Israel is traditionally marked by empty roads and a festive atmosphere for cyclists, but the holiday continues to claim hundreds of victims in traffic accidents. Over the past year, 295 people required medical treatment following accidents involving bicycles, electric devices, and motor vehicles during the fast, averaging about 12 casualties per hour.
Decade Statistics and Trends
According to data from Magen David Adom (MDA) analyzed by the Or Yarok association, 2,472 people have been injured in similar accidents on Yom Kippur over the past decade. The number of casualties fluctuates significantly from year to year. In 2016, 220 people were injured, rising to 265 in 2017, 228 in 2018, and 256 in 2019. The lowest figure of the decade was recorded in 2020 with 129 casualties, followed by a steady increase: 226 in 2021, 285 in 2022, and a peak of 307 in 2023. In 2024, 261 people were injured, before climbing back up to 295 last year.
A central part of the risk during Yom Kippur stems from riding two-wheeled vehicles. Many teenagers ride bicycles and electric scooters during the holiday. According to regulations, riding electric vehicles is permitted only from the age of 16 and above, and wearing a helmet is mandatory on every ride.
Safety Recommendations and Warnings
Or Yarok recommends checking the condition of bicycles before heading out, including tires, brakes, lights, reflectors, and horns. It is also advised to ensure that the bicycle suits the rider's height and that a properly fastened helmet is worn. After dark, wearing light-colored clothing and using lights and reflectors is strongly recommended.
The association warns against the false sense of security created by relatively empty roads. Riders are urged to slow down at intersections, look both ways, and ensure that drivers have noticed them before crossing. Authorities emphasize that vehicles still travel on roads during Yom Kippur, sometimes at higher speeds than usual. Parents are advised to designate familiar riding areas far from main roads and to strictly adhere to safety rules themselves.
"The holiday atmosphere is misleading, and many tend to think it is a day that allows for safe riding when the reality is completely different," said Yaniv Yaakov, CEO of the Or Yarok association. "The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety must raise awareness of the dangers accompanying two-wheeled vehicles in general and on Yom Kippur in particular."
