Relation of Road users’ Behavior and Geometric Elements To Traffic Accidents in Wolaita Sodo Town

Abstract

A road traffic accident is an incident on a way or street open to public traffic, resulting in one or more persons being killed or injured, and involving at least one moving vehicle. Every year the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury. Wolaita Sodo is one of the densely populated towns in Ethiopia and has high traffic flows. The over population, high traffic flow and absence of Pedestrian road is contributing to high RTAs in the town. These unreasonably high accidents are costing the town a huge price, claiming life of residents and causing major and minor disability in addition to the property damage. The objective of this study was to assess the relation of road users’ behaviour and road geometric design elements to traffic accident. Data were collected on road segments, road users, and traffic office records in Wolaita Sodo town. Data were collected by interviewed road users and by measuring road geometric design elements. Data entry and analysis were carried out by SPSS. Descriptive statistics followed by ANOVA was employed to identify the effect of driver’s risky behaviours and road geometric variables on crash occurrences. The result of this study shows strong relation between drivers’ risky behaviour, road geometric parameters and crash occurrence. The driver’s behaviors that affect crash occurrence includes driving fast for thrills 65.4%, taking deliberate risks for fun 67.9%, driving under the influence of alcohol 24.5, driving under the influence of chat 75.1%, excessive speed 24.1% and close following (tailgating) 46.6% . The modelling result indicates; median width, lane width, shoulder width and gradient also affecting the crash occurrence. In wolaita sodo town 161 road traffic accidents were recorded from the last five years. This indicates that every year an average of 32.2 road traffic accidents have occurred. Major causes of road traffic crashes during the consecutive five years from 2006-2010 were failure to give-way for pedestrians (55.5%), failure to give-way for the other vehicles (25.2%) and tailgating (15%). To minimize road traffic accidents in Wolaita Sodo town, the authority shall provide adequate shoulders, speed breakers and medians