Identification of crash prone areas in Ethiopia

Abstract Motor vehicle ownership in Ethiopia is 1 vehicle per 145 populations; however, on average 14 people per day die on Ethiopian roads due to traffic crashes. In the 8 years from 2008–2016, estimated economic costs of traffic crashes in Ethiopia of 3.155 billion ETB (~ A$84.8 million), The aim of this study was to identify the main causes of traffic crashes in federal roads and to recommend possible countermeasures. Both primary and secondary data were used. Crash blackspots were identified using the Flamish government formula and crash frequency method. The results of crash rate and crash severity index show that, the traffic crash is very severe; the crash severity index of up to 55 and crash rate of 3.5 Mvkm (million vehicle kilometre). The main causes of traffic crashes were speeding, not giving priority for pedestrian, not giving priority for vehicle, following too close, lack of traffic sign, poor pedestrian behaviour and driver error. Human factors, particularly driver behaviour accounts up to 82 percent of all crashes. High number of crashes occurred during good weather conditions (87%), on good asphalt (95%) and with vehicles which have no defect (84%). Collisions with pedestrians (45%) and overturning collisions (45%) were the leading types of collision. Installing rumble strips to control for speeding, providing traffic hazard light to prevent run off crashes, installing traffic sign to providing information for driver and pedestrian, creating awareness, improving sight distance and modernising crash data recording system minimize the accident occurrence.