Megenagna, China Camp and Haile Garment areas are reported as the most prominent traffic accident hotspots in Addis Abeba, while Abinet Sebategna, Winget and Bambis areas are reported as the most fatal corridors with a high risk of casualties, according to the latest report by the Bloomberg Initiative.

Heavy trucks and transport providers that carry beyond their capacity are cited as the major causes of traffic accidents, with the road management system entangled in a web of challenges. While fragmented networks, regulatory drawbacks and a dearth of trained human capital are at the forefront, poor planning and substandard quality of the roads remain factors for an increasing number of injuries that lead to fatality.

Out of the 4871 accidents, 23pc were caused by heavy trucks and 17pc due to overloaded vans, according to the report. Over 400 casualties and 3,471 injuries due to traffic accidents were registered in the last fiscal year, with 80pc of the victims being pedestrians. Their performance review showed an increase of one percentage point from the previous year's fatalities and injuries in the economically productive age groups.

The report was availed at the Sheraton Addis, Taitu Street, a fortnight ago. Meron Getachew, the data coordinator and analyst, said empirical trials and professional interventions are necessary to delineate the causes.

Data analysts pointed to overburdened roads that provide reduced mobility for vehicles nearing two million nationwide. This comes amidst poor road infrastructures such as speed controllers and traffic lights.

Coordinator Yonas Legesse urges authorities on the need for special provisions for novice drivers, young people and motorcyclists as they are in a higher risk category placing stricter speeding limits. A study by John Hopkins University reveals that the overall prevalence of speeding above the limit in Addis Abeba remains at 52pc, with motorcycles accounting for more than half of the violations.

"Penalties for overspeeding should reflect the gravity of the offence," Yonas told Fortune.

Ill-trained professionals on safety knowledge were also indicated as another impediment. Meanwhile, the 0.8g level of alcohol content within the blood was spotted to be 0.3g higher than international standards.

Kibebew Mideksa, deputy director of the Addis Abeba Traffic Management Authority, revealed pending legislation at the Justice Bureau that places stringent punishment on traffic violations, including seatbelts, speeding and blood alcohol levels.

"Absence of clear rules has been a problem," he stated.