The Role of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Reducing Accidents on Nigeria Roads: A Case Study of River State
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study are;
- To determine the impact of the role of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in mitigating the level of road accidents on Nigerian roads with a case appraisal of its role in reducing accidents in Nigeria.
- To ascertain the causes of road accidents on Nigerian roads
- To the fundamental role of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) in the reduction of accidents on Nigerian roads
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Federal Road Safety commission (FRSC) is a government agent with statutory responsibility for road safety administration in Nigeria. It was established in 1988. the federal road safety corps (FRSC) operates in all Nigerian states as well as the federal capital territory (FCT) A corps marshal of the FRSC Osita Chidoka (2008) said that 18300 road accidents have claimed 51251 persons injured in Nigeria in the past three years. He further explained errant petroleum tankers drivers were responsible for most of the accident in Nigeria he said that in the first three months of the year 2007, 2119 accidents involving tankers drivers claimed 301 lives meanwhile; one analyst has said the figure of fatalities by the police is a gross under – estimation of the death resulting from accident. Adegbenro (2009) studied the road accidents trends in Nigeria between the period of 1960 and 1989 his study reveal a sharp increase in fatal accident occurrence. Between 1960 and 1969 it was observed that over 18000 death occur as a result of road accidents by the third decade (1980 – 1989) this figure had increase to about five times i.e. more than 9200 death. According to Eke (2001) it has however being observed that most of the factors involving in road accidents are created and control by man. Man initiated the process that may yield a road accidents by traveling, he or she may travel as a pedestrian as a passenger in a vehicle or as the operator of the vehicle. Odero (1998) added that most vehicle operator also fail to ensure the road worthiness of their vehicle before they hit the highway which contributes majorly to road accidents in Nigeria. Occasionally, the vehicle operator fails to adhere to safety regulation for instance, fastening the seatbelt and ensuring safe condition of the vehicles. It has also been observed that during the festival periods and holidays, there are always more vehicles on the Nigeria highways and road, people tend to be rushing to meet certain commitment or to arrive at their destination earlier consequently, there are more accident during theses period than other time. A student, member of the red cross, Miss Kemi Oluwapo said that “road accidents, though labeled accidental, are most time cause by dangerous driving which informs why we keep on having them every day, despite effort by relevant agencies to have them minimized on our road and your surroundings at all times there could be many things going on in traffic all around you, so it is crucial that you pay attention to everything going on around you driving should be your only focus while behind the wheel. Some drivers while on wheels eat their breakfast, drink their coffees, apply their makeup and change their out fits and these are drivers that are involved in accident. (Antigba 1996 and Edom 1989) “the fewer the people that would die from road accidents the better Nigeria will begin to appreciates the federal road safety corps (FRSC) and it is believed that this is possible so talking of being able to show results with the (FRSC), being effective, delivering service reducing road accidents from 100 to 80 percent per month, it is then that service will be known to being delivered. The Federal Road Safety Corps have the responsibility of improving road safety and reducing road accident. Odelowo (1998) believe that the role of intoxication with drugs and alcohol is important in the cause of road accident worldwide.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine a The role of federal road safty corps (frsc)in reducing accident on Nigeria Roads: a case study of River State. Federal road safety corps, Rivers state form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the role of federal road safty corps (frsc)in reducing accident on Nigeria Roads: a case study of River State. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the role of federal road safty corps (frsc) in reducing accident on Nigeria Roads
Summary
This study was on the role of federal road safty corps (frsc)in reducing accident on Nigeria Roads: a case study of River State. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the impact of the role of federal road safety corp (FRSC) in mitigating the level of road accident on Nigerian roads with a case appraisal of its role in reducing accident in Nigeria, to ascertain the causes of road accident on Nigerian roads and to the fundamental role of federal road safety corp (FRSC) in the reduction of accident on Nigerian roads. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from federal road safety corp, Rivers State. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The overall goal of the Decade of Action for Road Safety is to stabilize and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the World by 2020 (WHO, 2011). Also, one of the facts discovered from FRSC‟s „safe road in Nigeria‟, an initiative to reduce road traffic accidents, is that accidents kill more than HIV/ AIDS. Having this fact at hand is a major eye opener to the level of damage and loss it has caused to the nation’s economy. Even though FRSC‟s efforts are noticed nationwide and are seen to be effective in accident reduction, it has been discovered through this study that accidents occur mostly at nights and during rainy season, enforcement equipment’s are inadequate, FRSC desire better working conditions and staff welfare and accident reduction methods need to be improved upon. It is therefore pertinent to intensify efforts on improving these findings to ensure an accident free environment with uttermost urgency. This research work will sensitize the general public on the roles of FRSC in accident reduction and also the roles of every stakeholder in alleviating the eventualities of accident occurrences
Recommendation
- Sustenance of Level FRSC Approach to Traffic Management It is recommended that the FRSC should sustain all the methods it has adopted in the course of managing traffic crashes in the country. Such method as Education/Public enlightenment, enforcement, emergency rescue services and others should be enhanced for better service delivery of reduction in traffic crashes.
- The public enlightenment campaign should be given more boost by ensuring that the corps activities get to the grass root level. The corps should encourage the translation of more of its code or medium of communication in local dialects for easy understanding by the people. More publicity should be given to the corps activities in order to enhance the general knowledge of the public on road safety matters
References
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