Causes and Socio-Economic Impacts of Road Traffic Accidents in Addis Ababa

Hailu, Tesfalem (2010) Causes and Socio-Economic Impacts of Road Traffic Accidents in Addis Ababa. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

Addis Ababa has become one of the main traffic accident prone regions in the country and even in the world. Number of fatalities, injuries, property damage and total economic lose are increasing exponentially. The purpose of the study was to identify the causes of road traffic accidents and assess the impact on socio-economic aspects of the city, and arrive at hot and effective counter measures that can bring about a behavioral change in upgrading road safety of the city. Methods and procedures used in gathering the study data includes secondary data from the traffic police and primary data collected through an in-depth interview made with 50 drivers, 50 pedestrians, and 50 victims and professionals. Later, it was strengthened through the discussion made with key informants and field observations. while selection of victim interviewees’ was done using purposive sampling. In the selection procedure, pedestrians, drivers’ characteristics age, sex and occupation difference of all interviewees were well thought-out. The result of the study revealed that occurrence of road accidents: fatalities, injuries and property damage in the city showed an increasing trend. Within the study period it grew by 10% annually, on the average. The study also proved, among all of the accidents caused in the city, drivers were responsible for the larger part (83%), while pedestrians were involved in only 2.2%, vehicles 3% and road condition in about 1%. Among all victims about 82% were pedestrians, while drivers and passengers accounted for only 4% and 15% respectively. Age wise, about 41% were between 18 and 30. Female-male ratio was about 1:3. Some of the driver faults identified in the study were: not giving priority to pedestrians (about 20%), not giving priority to vehicles (about 15.8%), following too closely (about 15.6%), and wrong overtaking (about 14%) were the leading causes of collusions. With respect of vehicle type; automobiles and taxis were involved in about 27% and 23% respectively. By vehicle ownership; private surpasses well that of the government. While the number of vehicle share of private to the government was 52% to 12% (4.3:1), but the accident involvement was 66% to 14.5% (4.6:1). Working zones and school areas were also among areas with high traffic accident. The study has also observed enforcing laws and regulations were old and not regularly updated. Even those already available laws and regulations were not correctly implemented through a proper enforcement. Finally, conclusion and possible recommendations were included. Among such lists applying effective education & publicity, proper enforcement, upgrading data gathering and research analysis are some of them.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Divisions:	Africana
Depositing User:	Tim Khabala
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2018 09:42
Last Modified:	11 Sep 2018 09:42
URI:	http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8576

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