The Causes of Road Traffic Accidents in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are a major global socio-economic problem, affecting all people of the world regardless of age, sex, wealth etc. This study has the major objective of assessing the causes of road traffic accident in Bahir Dar city. Both primary and secondary data sources were used. Cross-sectional survey with utilization of both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. About 155 samples were drawn randomly from pedestrians and drivers sample groups using stratified random sampling technique. Inferential statistics was used to analyze the data and interpret the results. Step by step analyses of Binary Logistics Regression Model reveal poor pedestrians manner in giving priorities to vehicles where necessary (p–value=0.000), drivers’ irregular use of seatbelt while driving (p–value=0.009), failure of drivers in giving priorities to pedestrians as required by the law (p–value=0.045) and drivers use of excessive driving speed (p–value=0.001) as the main determining factors for the occurrence of road traffic accident in the city. With regard to the types of vehicles that commit frequent accident, motor cycles, pickups particularly those that can carry up to ten quintals, public vehicles especially those having 12 seats and taxi 1 and 2 (Bajaj and mini bus taxis) were the major and frequent accident agents. Unless immediate actions to revert the problem are taken, it will worsen in the coming future as motorization and population of the city are growing altogether.

Keywords: Causes, Road Traffic Accidents, Pedestrians, Drivers, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia