Abstract
ObjectivesThe 2013 World Health Organization Status Report on Road Safety estimated that approximately 1.24 million deaths occur annually due to road traffic crashes with most of the burden falling on low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this research is to study the prevalence of road traffic crashes in Mekelle, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia and to identify risk factors with the ultimate goal of informing prevention activities and policies.MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional design to measure the prevalence and factors associated with road traffic crashes among 4-wheeled minibus (n = 130) and 3-wheeled Bajaj (n = 582) taxi drivers in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between risk factors and drivers’ involvement in a road traffic crash within the 3 years prior to the survey.FindingsAmong the 712 taxi drivers, 26.4% (n = 188) of them reported involvement in a road traffic crash within the past 3 years. Drivers who listened to mass media had decreased likelihood of road traffic crash involvement (AOR = 0.51, 0.33–0.78), while speedy driving (AOR = 4.57, 3.05–7.44), receipt of a prior traffic punishment (AOR = 4.57, 2.67–7.85), and driving a mechanically faulty taxi (AOR = 4.91, 2.81–8.61) were strongly associated with road traffic crash involvement. Receiving mobile phone calls while driving (AOR = 1.91, 1.24–2.92) and history of alcohol use (AOR = 1.51, 1.00–2.28) were also associated with higher odds of road traffic crash involvement.ConclusionThe results of this study show that taxi drivers in Mekelle habitually place themselves at increased risk of road traffic crashes by violating traffic laws, especially related to speedy driving, mobile phone use, and taxi maintenance. This research can be used to support re-evaluation of the type, severity, and enforcement of traffic violation penalties.
Highlights
Road traffic crash (RTC) is defined as a collision between two or more vehicles, between vehicles and pedestrians, between vehicles and animals, or between vehicles and fixed obstacles[1]
The results of this study show that taxi drivers in Mekelle habitually place themselves at increased risk of road traffic crashes by violating traffic laws, especially related to speedy driving, mobile phone use, and taxi maintenance
It is estimated that RTCs cost Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) more than $100 billion USD every year, or 1–2% of their gross national product (GNP) due to premature death, disability, medical expenses, loss of productivity, and material damages [3]
Summary
Road traffic crash (RTC) is defined as a collision between two or more vehicles, between vehicles and pedestrians, between vehicles and animals, or between vehicles and fixed obstacles[1]. It is estimated that RTCs cost LMICs more than $100 billion USD every year, or 1–2% of their gross national product (GNP) due to premature death, disability, medical expenses, loss of productivity, and material damages [3]. Despite these major impacts upon global health and economic development, RTCs and related injuries tend to be under-prioritized in LMICs [2]. The UN Economic Commission for Africa reported that 15,086 road traffic crashes occurred in Ethiopia in 2008 resulting in a mortality rate of 95 deaths per 10,000 vehicles, and causing losses of over 82 million Ethiopian Birr ($7.3 million USD) [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
