EVALUATION OF THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE OF THE USE OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AMONG MOTORISTS IN MINNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study seeks to evaluate the level of compliance with traffic lights in Minna among the motorists’ base on the theory of planned behavior. A reconnaissance survey of the town was carried out by the researchers to identify the location of the traffic lights and observation of happening around the traffic lights’ location. Survey research was adopted and data were gathered from it with the use of questionnaire and secondary sources while photographs were used to capture scenery of interest around the traffic lights. Furthermore, mapping of the traffic light intersections across Minna was cried out, and 400 structured questionnaires were administered to motorists, road users and traffic regulatory agency in the study areas where traffic lights are located through systematic random sampling technique for their selection and the analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. In order to assess the degree of adherence of road users to traffic laws and regulations, personal observation of road users was conducted inside Minna where the traffic lights are placed. The counting of violated vehicles took place for a period of six days from Monday to Saturday with each day dedicated to each location. Information on the traffic offenses committed by the motorists and their penalty was collected from the traffic enforcement. The study reveals that the level of traffic violation in Minna is relatively varies from one location to another; Mandela Road junction with 22.27% has the highest traffic violation and the lowest number of violators are found on Lagos Road/Old market intersection near Obasanjo Complex with 12.89%. Generally, the lower number of violators in all the traffic light intersection is as a result of the presence of the Vehicle Inspection Officers who are stationed on the road from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays and it also demonstrates that road users comply with traffic rules more when there are enforcement agencies on the road. Also, most of the violations took place during the evening time from the hours of 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, when the enforcement agencies had dismissed for the day. The study therefore suggests that adequate compliance to the traffic regulations and very strict enforcement with the aid of hidden cameras will help to mitigate road traffic accidents in the study area. The policy maker should therefore ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws in Minna metropolis.