Trends and Patterns of Road Traffic Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities in Nigeria

Abstract

The importance of road transportation in Nigeria is on daily basis being challenged by the increasing number of road traffic crashes with their attendant devastating personal, social and economic consequences. This study examined the trends and patterns of road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities in Anambra State, Nigeria. Road traffic crash data were collected from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Anambra State Sector Command, Awka. Descriptive statistical analysis and Pareto analysis were used to analyse crash data in the State. The descriptive analysis of the data showed that 18.84% of the crashes involved minor injury, 57.30% involved serious injury and 23.86% involved fatal injuries. The result revealed that although the trend in the number of road traffic crashes is decreasing, the number of lives being lost in road traffic crashes isstill increasing. 76.7% of those killed were males and 23.3% were females; and 64.3% of those injured were males while 35.7% were females. The result also revealed that 76%, 20% and 4% of the crashes were caused by human factors, vehicle factors and environmental factors respectively.The Pareto analysis revealed that over speeding (speed violation), loss of control, dangerous (reckless) driving, route violation, tyre burst and brake failure were the 20% of the contributing factors that contributed to over 80% of the crashes in the State. Improved data collection, availability of accurate data, thorough analysis of such data, and development and implementation of adequate programs would help to reduce injuries and fatalities caused by road traffic crashes in Nigeria. The recommendations given in this study would help to reduce road traffic crashes in Nigeria.