Road Injuries Increase by 35pc, with Pedestrians Most Affected

Apr 13 , 2025

Addis Abeba’s streets continue to present fatal risks for pedestrians, who account for 86pc of all traffic fatalities reported in 2023/24. Megenagna emerged as a particularly hazardous area, logging the highest number of fatalities, including 13 deaths. While the number of pedestrian deaths has dipped slightly, overall injuries have surged by 35pc since 2020/21, with eight out of 10 injuries involving those on foot. The Addis Abeba City Administration revised its 13-year road safety strategy, launched in 2016, and introduced a new version this year. A new Road Safety Council has been formed, led by Mayor Adanech Abiebie and including 15 government agencies. Officials say the revised plan addresses enforcement and infrastructure gaps. Authorities, working alongside Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Initiative for Global Road Safety, say they want to monitor crash outcomes more effectively and pursue interventions that can save lives. Despite the improvement in fatality statistics, collisions with automobiles and vans each claimed 27pc of pedestrian deaths, while heavy vehicles were responsible for 25pc. In the past year, automobile collisions caused 677 injuries, while 12-to-16-seat vans were linked to 404 injuries. “We need strategic planning and active participation from all partners to reduce traffic-related deaths,” said Kebebew Midekisa, director general of the Addis Abeba Traffic Management Authority. According to the Director General, there is a need for broad collaboration to enact meaningful change through stronger measures. Road fatalities dropped from 408 deaths in 2022/23 to 401 in 2023/24, along with a three percent decline in injuries. Pedestrians made up the majority of fatalities, with males comprising 78pc of those lost and individuals aged 20 to 39 accounting for 45pc. Many incidents occurred between 6:00pm and 10pm, with Saturdays claiming 15pc of fatalities. Speeding played a role in nearly half of all fatal accidents.