Abstract:
The phenomena of road traffic accident in Ambo town has been a source of concern
in view of the loss of life and its socio-economic consequences. The study assessed
the spatio temporal variation of road traffic accident in Ambo town using a survey
questionnaire, interview, personal observation and secondary data obtained from
the Ambo town a traffic police accident control and inspection office covering the
period of 2014 to 2018. Stratified sampling techniques and purposive sampling
techniques were employed. A total of 149 copies questionnaires were distributed to
Minibus drivers, Bajaj drivers and Motor cycle drivers in their principal stations.
40 pedestrians and four key informants from traffic policemen were purposively
selected for interview. All copies were successfully returned and considered
appropriate for the analysis. The data generated were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and content analysis because of the data gathered was both quantitative
and qualitative e. The results were presented in the form of tables, pictures and
figures. The result of the analysis revealed that in the study area, human related
causes are mainly responsible for majority of traffic accident in space and time.
The magnitude of increase in human deaths of the town within four years interval
(2014-2018) was about 71.4%. This means that the death caused by RTAs was
increasing by an average of 17.85% within 2014-2018. Majority of the traffic
accident on the road occur during the day time especially afternoon. To address the
problems, road traffic rules and regulations needs to be taught well as a subject in
primary school or elementary level. This is because large number of people have
elementary level of education. Government should provide necessary materials or
logistics to the enforcement agencies such as Ambo town traffic police and other
coordinating bodies to enhance their work. The study generally comments the way
how to reduce road traffic accident with collaboration of government and other
stake holders to intervene in the road traffic accident in Ambo town.
