In an attempt to tackle the growing number of road traffic accidents, Federal Transport Authority of Ethiopia is set to make mandatory for all cars to be fitted with speed limiter.
The Authority today invited potential suppliers of the devices that limit car speed to come forward with their proposals. In a public announcement this evening on state broadcaster – ETV, the Federal Transport Authority has invited potential companies, which have the professional and related capacity to supply and fit speed limiter devices on every cars in Ethiopia.
Though the Authority has first announced its plan to introduce speed limiter a few years ago, this is for the first time to invite companies to take part.
Adjustable speed limiter – is a commonly used speed limiter in most cars. Some manufacturers, including Ford, offer intelligent speed limiter system on some cars, which links the speed limiter to a camera that can spot speed limit signs. When one drives into an area with a different speed limit, then the limiter is adjusted accordingly.
Road traffic accident is a major problem in Ethiopia resulting in the death of thousands of people and injuries every year and loss of properties worth tens of millions of dollars.
The latest figure from the Authority shows that the total number of registered cars in Ethiopia is close to one million, including those out of service.
Every year the lives of approximately 1.25 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Road traffic crashes cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product.
WHO has been working with governments to cut the road traffic accidents globally by addressing key behavior risk factors – speed, drink-driving, the use of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts and child restraints.