Investigation on Road Traffic Accident Factors and Possible Countermeasures: A case study from Bonga to Mizan Roadway

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