ASSESSMENT OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ALONG LAFIA-AKWANGA ROAD, NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Date

2016-09-21

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Environmental Resource Management Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Abstract

Road traffic accident constitutes a threat to the movement of both human and material resources. It is a global challenge and the situation is worst in Africa, especially Nigeria. This study assessed road traffic accidents along Akwanga-Lafia road in Nasarawa state, Nigeria between 2011-2015. The data source was secondary and collected from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and The Nigerian Police Traffic Division (NPTD). The data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The study showed that 859 accidents occurred along the route between 2011 and 2015 killing 714 people while 1489 were injured. There were 163 accidents in 2011,148 in 2012,186 in 2013,181 in 2014 and 181 in 2015. In 2011, the months of January and April recorded the highest the number of accidents while the month of October recorded the least. In 2012, the months of January, February and May recorded the highest number of accidents with 16 accidents each while the least was recorded in July and August with 8 accidents each. In 2013, the months of June and December recorded the highest accidents with 20 each while the least was in the months of January, July and August with 13 accidents each. In 2014, July recorded the highest number of accidents (25) while the least was in June (10). In 2015, April recorded the highest (19) number of traffic road accident while the least was in March (10). A total of 19 locations were identified to be accident prone areas with ‘many have gone’ (3.76%), Sabon Pegi Shabu (13.3%), Wamba Junction Akwanga (16.2%), Nasarawa Polytechnic (8.84%), Total fuel station Akwanga (15.4%), Azuba Lafia (14.4%) and Chris Abashi (13.8%) as the most accident prone locations. The causes of accidents identified were speed limit violation (35.04%), dangerous driving (11.6%), wrongful overtaking (15.9%), brake failure (11.9%) and nature of land use along the road. There were 258 people that were injured in 2011 while 178 were killed;in 2012, 279 persons were injured while 108 were killed,in 2013, 303 persons were injured while 161 were killed,in 2014, 146 persons were injured while 346 were killed and in 2015, 300 persons were injured while 171 were killed. The highest number of deaths (346) was recorded in 2014 and in 2011(178). Year 2013 recorded the highest number of injured persons (303) followed by 279 in 2012. The study concludes that the number of road accidents along the route is very high considering that the road is only about 59 Kilometer. It is recommended that the lead agency in road safety management in Nigeria (Federal Road Safety Corps) ought to create awareness on the use of speed limiting device and subsequently enforce it on all categories vehicles create awareness on how to check the expiry date on tyres, aggressively educate motorist on the Highway Code and step up their enforcement drive. Relevant development authorities should regulate the nature of land use along the road and relevant road furniture should be provided.

Description

Keywords

Citation

A DISSERTATION SUMMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES OF NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI.