Assessment Of Road Traffic Accidents In Sheger City Of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Road Traffic Accidents (Rtas) Pose Significant Health, Economic, And Developmental Challenges To African Nations, With Sub-Saharan Countries Being Particularly Affected. In Ethiopia, One Of The World's Least Developed Nations, Traffic Accidents Result In An Annual Loss Of At Least 400 Million Birr. The Research Aimed To Examine The Trends, Scope, And Primary Risk Factors Of Traffic Accidents In Sheger City Of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Most Studies On Ethiopian Traffic Accidents Have Relied Solely On Quantitative Survey Methods, Which Often Underestimated The Role Of Pedestrians And Emphasized Driving Behaviors As The Primary Cause. To Address These Gaps, This Study Adopted A Mixed-Methods Approach, Incorporating Both Qualitative And Quantitative Analyses To Better Capture Human Behavioral Factors. A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Design Was Employed, Involving Interviews With Drivers, Pedestrians, Traffic Officers, And Medical Personnel. The Study's Sample Included 50 Interview Participants And Two Focus Group Discussions Comprising 10 Participants Each. Aggregated Road Traffic Accident Data Spanning Five Years Were Also Collected. Sampling Strategies Such As Purposive, Availability, Snowball, And Quota Sampling Were Utilized. Quantitative Data Were Analyzed Using Percentages And Means, While Qualitative Data From Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations, And Case Studies Underwent Narrative Analysis And Statistical Evaluation Using Spss. The Study Identified Significant Trends, Patterns, And Risk Factors Associated With Rtas In Sheger City. Over The Five-Year Period From 2018 To 2022, Road Traffic Accidents Increased Substantially. There Was A Marked Rise In Fatalities, Severe Injuries, Minor Injuries, And Material Damages, With Material Damages Showing The Most Pronounced Growth. The Economic Impact Peaked In 2022, Reaching 25,541,693 Birr. Sululta Sub City Recorded The Highest Number Of Accidents, Followed By Sebeta, Burayu, Gelan, And Tafo Sub Cities. The Research Highlighted Human Factors, Particularly Driver Behaviors, As Major Contributors To Rtas. Key Behavioral Risks Included Failing To Maintain Vehicle Distance, Speeding, And Neglecting Pedestrian Priority. Environmental And Road-Related Factors, Such As Black Spot Locations And Road Quality, Also Played A Significant Role. Vehicle Related Issues, Including Problems With Tires, Steering, And Brakes, Were Identified As Additional Contributing Factors. Based On The Findings Of The Study, It Was Recommended That Continuous Road Safety Education Be Given In Schools, Workplaces, And Mass Media To Enhance Health Extension Services And Prevent Accidents. And Also, Pedestrian Protection Measures Should Be Implemented To Ensure Safe Pedestrian Movement. Finally, Traffic Management And Control Using Sumo ((Simulation Of Urban Mobility) Software Should Be Utilized And Implemented.