Core Values

More than 1.3 million people die on the world's roads every year and the injured could be as high as 50 million, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for nearly 85 percent of the deaths and 90 percent of the injuries.

The risk of dying as a result of a road traffic injury is highest in Africa, even though Africa is the least motorized of all the regions. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, and motorized two- and three-wheelers) constitute more than half (52%) of road users killed on the roads, with pedestrians alone being 37%. Whereas a safe public transport system can contribute to creating a safer traffic environment, public transport in the region is not seen as a safe mode of travel.

The growing challenge for cities in Africa

A contributor to the increase in road crashes is Africa's development trajectory as one of the world's most rapidly growing economic regions. This growth is accompanied by an increase in vehicle ownership and travel. The number of vulnerable road users in urban areas is expected to rapidly increase along with the projected rate of urbanization: more than 90% of future population growth will be accounted for by large cities in developing countries. Africa has experienced the highest urban growth in the developing world over the last two decades — 3.5% per year — and this rate is expected to hold into 2050. Projections indicate that between 2010 and 2025, some African cities, Ethiopia included, will account for up to 85% of the population.

Road safety is a collective responsibility. Partnerships bringing together many sectors of society can promote and facilitate efforts to prevent road traffic deaths and injuries. Such partners should include government, industry, non-governmental organizations, international agencies, business sectors, professionals like road engineers, garages maintaining vehicles, law enforcement officers, and community groups. Strong political commitment is key to prevention efforts — commitment backed by adequately funded road safety policies and programs that are regularly monitored and evaluated.

Traffic injury in Ethiopia

Despite government efforts in road development, road crashes remain one of the critical problems of the road transport sector in Ethiopia. Every year many lives are lost and much property is destroyed due to road traffic accidents. Urban areas are hit hardest due to ever-increasing populations and vehicle numbers, shortages of road facilities, and congestion. Addis Ababa — the capital, diplomatic seat of embassies and international organizations — carries the largest share of road traffic flow and congestion, and the majority of road accidents are concentrated there.

The causes of traffic accidents fall into two categories: human-related causes such as driver and pedestrian behavior, and non-human factors such as weather conditions and inadequate vehicle inspections. The movement of economic activities and services, negligence of taxi drivers working long hours, an aging taxi vehicle fleet, and inadequate traffic control facilities are among the main causes of traffic injury. Low awareness of traffic rules among pedestrians, a small number of traffic police working long hours without incentives, and weak enforcement capacity have also been identified as major contributing factors in Addis Ababa.

Studies of taxi traffic injuries show that they are highly concentrated along the busiest roads, squares, and around schools, government offices, places of worship, and commercial, recreational, and dense residential areas — coinciding with peak hours of the day and weekends. A high rate of traffic accidents is found around schools, driven by driver negligence and a low level of awareness of traffic rules and symbols among students.