CAUSES OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOSSANA TOWN, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the causes of road traffic accident and its impact on socio-economic development of Hossana town. Pedestrians, vehicle drivers, traffic police officers and victims were population of the study. Thus, 51 pedestrians, 51 vehicle drivers, 15 traffic police officers and , 30 victims were taken as samples using purposive sampling technique because it helps researcher to rely on his or her own judgment when choosing members of the population to participate in their study. For a better understanding of the situation, a mixed research approach was employed. Questionnaire, interview and field observation were used as tools of data collection. Frequency and percentages were used for analyzing the quantitative data, while the qualitative data were thematically organized, categorized and examined in a form of statement to understand the emerging patterns of responses. The results of findingsare:Illegally driving licenses provision, Technical and professional ignorance, Low morality of license providers, traffic polices and drivers themselves, Irresponsibility of positional leaders and technical expert, Loose rules and regulations of transportation authority, Lack of professional ethnics and Drivers’ faults. The occurrence of fatalities, injuries and loss of properties were increasing from year after year in Hossana town. Among all the accidents caused in the town, the accident related to drivers took lion’s share; which is (72.3%) compared to that of others. Some of the driver faults identified in the study were prohibiting priority for pedestrians and vehicles, wrong overtaking, changing lane, crossing or entering a road and widely turning the vehicle with outgiving priority and sign to other road users. These were the leading causes of collusions. Besides, the result indicated socio-economic factors such as, death of family and loss of property as causes of road traffic accident. Among all victims about 85%were pedestrians, while drivers and passengers accounted for only 5% and 10% respectively. Street trading zone and school areas were also among areas with high traffic accident. The study identified that enforcing laws and regulations were main causes.Therefore in order to minimize road traffic accident, formulating adequate laws and regulations, educating pedestrian, making drivers formally licensed, making traffic signs of the road vivid to pedestrians, applying vehicle inspection programs