Abstract:
Road traffic accident is a worldwide problem, that leading several countries to gather efforts
to intervene in the situation currently. It results from a combination of factors related to human
behavioral factors, vehicular factors and road geometric factors, due to the way they
interacted. Some factors contribute to the occurrence of crashes and others aggravate its effect.
Currently, Ethiopia experienced the highest world’s road traffic accident record due to several
factors. Road traffic accident severities from Bonga to Mizan roadway are also increasing
rapidly, and the most exposed groups are passengers and pedestrians. Unless possible
countermeasures are taken, the situation escalates and traffic accidents are continuing per
year. This results in fatalities and the number of reported injuries to increase.
The objective of this research is the investigation of road traffic accident factors and possible
countermeasures for traffic accidents. Data collection for this research is the qualitative and
quantitative method, within a framework of the case study approach. Direct visual observation
and review of related literature are done accordingly and presented in terms of tables, charts,
and graphs.
The result from analysis show that road traffic accident factors from Bonga to Mizan roadway
are frequently occurred due to improper design of cross-sectional elements like narrow
carriageways, lack of shoulders, medians, pedestrian crossings, roadside delineators, missing
of pavement markings, lack of curve signs, and animal and vehicle mixed traffic flow systems.
Blackspots are also identified as 24% traffic accidents in Gimbo at 18+80, 20% in Bong town
from 03 kebele to Tesfaye Garage, 10% in Shiishoo-Indee at 53+80, 9% in Chenna at 70+20
and 3% in Mizan-Aman town. It is also concluded from three years analysis period that, 62%
of the traffic accident severities are due to driver’s error, 37.3% are due to vehicular defects
and 0.7% are by others. Finally, it is also recommended to local government authorities in
collaboration with traffic Polices to declare road safety as a human rights and
interdisciplinary processes requiring institutional cooperation, and governments to play a big
role to intervene in the situation for relief
