Abstract:
This study was conducted to identify the trend, pattern, risk factors and implications of
road traffic accidents in Oromya special zone, surrounding Finfine. It employed mixed
method, with cross-sectional descriptive design. Interview with pedestrians, drivers,
accident victims, traffic police and health expert was done. The sample of the study
comprises 24 interviewee participants and 1 FGD with 7 participants. All RTAs
aggregated statistical record data of five year was collected. The trend of RTAs from
2011-2015 indicates the alarming rate of problem. The increment of economic cost
within the trend has significant and it extremely increased at the end of the study year.
The study has confirmed that not giving priority to pedestrians, over spending and not
keeping the distance between the vehicles were major behavioral risk factors. Further,
road quality and black spot areas were the major identified road and environmental
factors. Tyres, steering and brake problems were the major identified vehicle related
factors. Besides, one of the core findings of the study was the socio-economic
implication of RTAs on the victims. In this regard, Health effect, family disorganization
and divorce, joblessness, economic dependency and difficulties to develop coping
strategies were the identified socio economic implications associated with RTAs.
Results on rule and regulation gaps of road safety indicate that system of offering
driving licenses, poor medical diagnosis and night time driving has poor law
enforcement. The result underlined the significance of the policy enforcement. Based on
the findings of the study, it was recommended that, road safety education should be
provided in schools, at work areas and mass medium in towns should strengthen the
future plan of government road safety education by health extension workers.
