Risk Factors and Implications of Road Traffic Accident in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfine

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.