The Impact of Road Traffic Accident On Human Security: The Case of Ambo Woreda, Oromia Regional State Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of road traffic accident on human security yin Ambo Woreda. Specifically, the study investigated the major causes of road traffic accident in Ambo Woreda, identified the impact of road traffic accident on human security, examined the people’s perception and the links among road traffic accidents and human security and assessed measures taken to reduce and/or prevent the effects of road traffic accidents on human security. Subjects of the study were drivers, Ambo woreda and west shewa zone Traffic Police, Road Authority and Ambo woreda transport office. The study used mixed methodological approach. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in this study. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, three types of data gathering tools were used: questionnaires, interviews and Focus Group Discussion. The collected data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings revealed that collective factors contributed for the incidence of Road Traffic Accidents in Ambo woreda were human errors, vehicles defect, poor road design and poor traffic regulation enforcement. The study also found the multifaceted impacts of Road Traffic Accidents on human security of households and the state such as on the social interaction of victims and family, on the physical safety or the survival of individuals including permanent and temporal health problems. Counter measures are being carried out authorities starting from creating awareness through education campaigns, improving road designs and enforcement of the traffic regulation of the woreda though the rate of Road Traffic Accidents are still raising and occurring frequently. The research concludes that Road Traffic Accidents have multifaceted impact on human security in Ambo woreda /or Ambo woreda and little attention is given to the problem, despite the increase of road crashes from time to time. Therefore, government, non governmental and regional governmental should work together to minimize the occurrence of road traffic accident in Ambo Woreda.