Characteristics of Fatal Road Crashes in Plateau State, Nigeria (2016 – 2019)

Abstract

Africa has the worst crash fatality rates in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the continent has a crash fatality rate of 26.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Some analysts believe that this is grossly underrepresented and the true figure would be around 65 deaths per 100,000 people. Nigeria has one of the largest fleets of vehicles and number of crashes in Africa and contributes to a large measure in this scandalously high crash fatality rates. The need to address this problem cannot be overemphasized. It is imperative that the characteristics of fatal crashes be examined as a way to determine what the issues at stake are. However, not many studies have been conducted to deconstruct fatal crashes especially at the local level in Nigeria. This paper examines the characteristics of fatal crashes in Plateau State, Nigeria. Data was collected from the State Sector Command Headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for Plateau State. Data crash records were then extracted and deconstructed. The results showed that most of the fatal crashes and fatalities occurred between 9am and 12 noon and 3pm and 6pm. There were larger number of crashes and fatalities caused by multiple-vehicle crashes than single-vehicle crashes; and only five routes were responsible for 57% of fatal crashes and 66% of fatalities. Brake failure and speed violations were the most common causes of fatal crashes and fatalities, respectively. The paper recommends that stiffer penalties be imposed for violations of traffic rules and regulations and officers of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) should work together in
collaboration to ensure better safety records on the roads.