Perception of Commercial Motorcycle Operators on Road Traffic Accident in Makurdi, Nieria.
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Date
2024
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Department of Geography, Benue State University, Makurdi
Abstract
Overtime, there has been an increase in cases involving commercial motorcycle traffic
accidents in Makurdi though there are no reliable data on location of accidents areas by
relevant agencies in the state. The study examines the perception of commercial motorcycle
operators on traffic accidents on hotspots areas in Makurdi, Benue State. The objectives of
the study were to: (i) identify the locations of traffic accident as perceived by commercial
motorcycle operators in Makurdi (ii) examine the perception of commercial motorcyclists on
causes of traffic accidents in Makurdi (iii) determine the accident hotspot as perceived by
commercial motorcyclists in Makurdi (iv) examine the effects of traffic accident on
commercial motorcyclists in the study areas and (v) determine how commercial motorcyclists’
involvement in traffic accident could be reduced in the study area. Data for the study were
sourced from survey through questionnaire administration and related documents on
government agencies, relevant text books and journals. A systematic-random sampling
technique was employed in the selection 268 respondents in the 45 BEMOA units in Makurdi.
Descriptive statistical techniques including tables, charts, graphs and percentages were
employed to analyze the characteristics of commercial motorcycle operators, causes and
effects of road traffic accidents. Location of traffic accident scenes were identified using
Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The coordinates were later integrated into ArcGIS
10.7 software. The findings of the study revealed that (i) traffic accident occur at major routes
and streets in Makurdi particularly at route nodes and intersections (ii) These traffic accidents
occurs mostly in built-up areas where there are presence of institutions and commercial
centers such as public markets, motor parks, schools, social and religious centers (iii) The
major causes of commercial motorcycle traffic accident in the study are obstruction, weather
condition, over-speed, improper overtaking, non-compliance to traffic rules and drug
substance abuse (iv) Most commercial motorcycle operators are affected by traffic accident
including job loss, psychological trauma, loss of property, debt and fracture. The study
concluded that there is need for government agencies and other stakeholders in the transport
sector to collaborate and adopt the recommendations suggested in this work in order to
reduce traffic accident in Makurdi and beyond.
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Citation
Malik, N.A. and Tyoakoso, F.S. (2024): Perception of Commercial Motorcycle Operators on Road Traffic Accident in Makurdi, Nieria. Journal of Geography and Development, 9(1)