The death toll and property destruction resulted from road traffic accidents in Ethiopia have been on the rise year in, year out despite the government’s efforts to prevent further escalations.
The latest development in a series of measures that have been taken to curb traffic accidents could be the inclusion of imported second-hand automobiles under excisable goods.
Despite other exacerbating factors, the standard of vehicles is among the top causes of traffic accidents. In addition to deteriorating public health situations, the problem has orphaned many children and left older people abandoned.
On the flip side, many parents have lost their beloved kids due to road traffic accidents.Of course, the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018 has #1 cause of death for children and young adults 5-29 years of age globally. The menace affects people of all ages across the board but its domino effect could be high when it comes to the productive citizens.
The current measure of the government adds weight to previous efforts of the government. The continued awareness-raising schemes particularly to limit speed per type of road and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol have been bringing better impacts.
The measures conform to the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020) adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010 which envisages saving millions of lives, among others, by further developing the safety of vehicles. More to the point, it helps to meet the SDG goal 3; target 3.6 aiming at halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
Intending to encourage mobility and auto manufacturing, the government has also cut excise tax levied on new cars which are below 1,300 CC to less than 5 percent, from previously 30 percent. State Minister of Finance Eyob Tekalegn explained the move as:“The revised rate could reduce the price of new cars by up to 83 percent.”
The Ethiopian Harald January 24/2020
