Road traffic injuries (RTIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Investigation of high risk areas for RTIs is needed to guide improvements. This study provides built environmental analysis of road traffic crash hotspots within Moshi, Tanzania. Spatial analysis of police data identified 36 hotspots. Qualitative comparative analysis revealed 40% of crash sites were on local roads without night lighting and increased motorcycle density. Paved narrow roads represented 26% of hotspots and 13% were unpaved roads with uneven roadsides. Roadside unevenness was more predominate in low risk [n = 19, (90.5%)] than high risk sites [n = 7 (46.7%)]. Both low [n = 6 (28.6%)] and high risk [n = 1 (6.7%)] sites had minimal signage. All sites had informal pedestrian pathways. Little variability between risk sites suggests hazardous conditions are widespread. Findings suggest improvement in municipal infrastructure, signage and enforcement is needed to reduce RTI burden.
BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Further investigations of the high risk areas for RTIs in LMIC are needed to guide improvements in road safety planning. This study aims to provide a built environmental analysis of road traffic crash hotspots within Moshi, Tanzania.MethodsAfter ethical and police permission, Moshi police data was collected and descriptive statistics were tabulated. Hotspots were identified through spatial analysis and relevant patterns in environmental characteristics determined using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA).Results36 Hotspots were identified. QCA revealed 40% of crash sites were found on local roads, without night lighting and had increased motorcycle density. A further 26% of hotspots were located on paved narrow roads and 13% of hotspots were described as unpaved roads with uneven roadside areas. Roadside unevenness was more predominate in low risk sites, (High risk n = 7 (46.7%), Low risk n = 19, 90.5%, p = 0.01). Both low and high risk sites had minimal signage (High risk n = 1 (6.7%), low risk n = 6 (28.6%) and all had informal pedestrian pathways (High risk n = 15 (100%), low risk n = 21 (100%) .ConclusionsIn Moshi, Tanzania hotspots were associated with roadside dangers, lack of night lighting, informal pedestrian pathways, and increased traffic density but overall there was little variability between the low and high risk sites suggesting hazardous road conditions exist throughout the area. Our findings suggest overall improvement in municipal infrastructure, including structural improvements, signage and enforcement are needed to help reduce road traffic injury burden.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.