COMPLIANCE OF COMMERCIAL MOTORISTS WITH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Human factor has been identified as one of the reasons for Road traffic accident (RTA), which is a major cause of death, injuries and disabilities. The University of Ibadan (UI) in recognition of this challenge has instituted an approved Road Traffic Regulations (RTRs). However, compliance with these regulations in the University campus by commercial drivers is not known. This study was therefore designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and compliance of commercial motorists with the approved RTRs in the University of Ibadan. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 186 consenting commercial drivers registered within UI. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge (46-point), attitude (15-point) and compliance (24-point) with RTRs. Knowledge scores were categorized as "poor” (<I7), "fair" (17-32) and “good" (>32). Attitude scores were rated as “negative" (≤7) and positive (>7). Compliance level was measured as “low” (<9). “fair" (9-16) and “high" (>16). Five In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted with: the Registrar, Chairman of Intra Campus transport Committee, Chairman of commercial drivers, Chief Security Officer and Student Union President to further explore factors influencing compliance. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyse the quantitative data at 5% level of significance while the IDI data were analysed using thematic approach. Age of respondents was 41.1±0.8 years, 73.7% had secondary education and above forty- one percent took cigarette or/and alcohol to enhance their driving. Know ledge score on RTRs was 34.6±3.3 with 79.6% having good knowledge. Attitude score was 8.4±3.4 with 58.1% having positive attitude towards regulations. The RTRs compliance score was 17.5+3.7. Regulations with the least compliance were. "wearing of seat belt" (12.4%), not making call while driving (22. 6%) and not exceeding speed limit (27.9%). The respondent identified punishment (97.3%), inability to avoid penalty (89.9%), tendency of passengers to reporting regulatory violations (91.4%), and presence of security officer (83.9%) as major reasons for compliance with UI RTRs. There was a significant relationship between alcohol intake and accident occurrence while the attitude increased significantly with increasing educational qualifications (p<0.5). There was no significant relationship between the age of respondents and compliance with RTR (P>0.5). The IDI participant unanimously agreed that the attitude of the drivers and low level of knowledge of RTRs is a challenge. It was reported that weekly programmes are being put in place to further educate the members on the importance of safe driving also, as regards enforcements, aside setting up payments of penalty, other structure are set up as: Monitoring Squad, Service vehicles and Security unit to enforce the established laws. Despite high knowledge and compliance with road traffic regulations, negative attitudes still persist. Hence, there is need for road safety education among the commercial drivers in Ul with major emphasis on frequently violated traffic regulations to guide their healthy usage of the roads.