SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECT OF ROAD TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN GREATER KARU URBAN AREA, NASARAWA STATE, KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NIGERIA

In contemporary days, cities across the world have serious problems in the smooth running of their daily activities due to traffic congestion. The congestions are the outcome of many factors depending on the level of technological development and economy of the country concerned, which in a way influence the rest of other factors. An attempt has been made in this study to analyse the socioeconomic effect of road traffic congestion in Greater Karu Urban Area (GKUA). The study explored the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, the indicators of relationship between socioeconomic activities and traffic congestion and the losses due to congestion. Primary and secondary data sources were employed and the data acquired were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that delays, lateness and tiredness were good indicators of road traffic congestion and socioeconomic activities. 82.7%, 72.7%, 80.9%, 63.2%, 78.6 and 93.7% of the respondents agreed (strongly and merely) that excessive fuel consumption, decreased productivity, increased operational cost, increased accident, family moral decay and time wastage were all effects of road traffic congestions along the Keffi - Abuja road that cuts through GKUA. It was concluded that in the absence of measures to reduce traffic, it is very infeasible to match a road programmed to unrestricted trends in traffic growth. That is ownership and use of private cars. Hence it was recommended that road improvements should take separating of the road users into consideration. This is due to the fact that mixed traffic in one route is also a cause of congestions.