A Grim Chronicle: Rise of Vehicle Attacks as Terrorism

Vehicle attacks have surged globally since 2016, starting with the Nice attack in France. Several high-profile incidents, like the recent New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, highlight the growing threat. Many attacks are considered acts of terrorism, with authors' motives varying from extremism to personal grievances.

In a disturbing trend that has unfolded since 2016, mass vehicle attacks have become a significant concern globally. The phenomenon gained notoriety when a driver targeted Bastille Day crowds in Nice, France, using a heavy truck to claim 86 lives.

Most recently, a pickup truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day 2025 resulted in 10 fatalities and over 35 injuries, with authorities investigating the incident as a potential terrorist act. The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has identified vehicle attacks as a substantial threat within the nation.

From Germany's Christmas market tragedy to attacks in China, Canada, and beyond, the disturbing pattern remains consistent. These assaults, led by a range of motives from ideological terror to personal vendetta, have reshaped global security paradigms.

(With inputs from agencies.)