Evaluation of Road Traffic Accidents in Moyale Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are the major but neglected public health challenges that worsen public health and development if effective steps are not taken to curb it. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess and describe the patterns and associated causes of road traffic accidents in the Case of Moyale, Oromia Regional State. A cross-sectional study was conducted during 0ctober and November 2016. The study sample was composed of 191respondents systematically selected from households and 20 interviewees purposively selected from drivers and government officials. The study employed a descriptive survey design by using self-administered questionnaires face-to-face interview and document analysis. The research was also conducted based on the archive of traffic police data between 2012 and 2016. Results indicated that road traffic accident is a serious problem in the town of Moyale. The numbers have been following an increasing trend throughout the study period and the rate of increase has been rising rapidly due to high population number and high traffic mixes. The number and density of road traffic accidents occurring on the main roads were very high with figure ranging 80-90% of the total. Mixed allocation of land use type, high volume of traffic flow, poor nature of the road, lack of road facilities, poor traffic management and low level of enforcement contribute to these problems. In the study, pedestrians and motor cyclists are the most affected road users. The risks are higher among males, particularly those who are economically active age group. All safety measures introduced to protect the road users are disregarded by the large proportion of stakeholders. The study recommends that Moyale town needs to adjust human behavior to the traffic stream and fixed facilities to contrive ways and means of better traffic accommodation.