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Factors contributing to road crashes among commercial vehicle drivers in the Kintampo North Municipality, Ghana in 2017


Samuel A. Poku
Delia A. Bandoh
Ernest Kenu
Emma E. Kploanyi
Adolphina A. Addo- Lartey

Abstract

Objective: The study assessed driver, vehicular and road-related factors associated with road crashes (RC) in the Kintampo North Municipality.
Design: Cross-sectional study
Setting: Kintampo North Municipality
Data source: Demographics, vehicular and road usage information on registered drivers at Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU) and Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) in Kintampo North Municipality
Main outcome: involvement in road crashes and related factors
Result: A total of 227 drivers were approached for this study. None of them declined participation. They were all males. Most were between 28-37 years (30%). The proportion of drivers that reported RC ever involvement in at least one RC was 55.5% (95% CI: 8.0%, 62.1%). In the bivariate analysis, drink and drive changed lane without signalling, ever bribed police officer, drove beyond the maximum speed limit, paid a bribe at DVLA for driving license, violation of traffic signals were found to be associated with RC involvement (p<0.05). Drivers who violated traffic signals had 2.84 odds of being involved in road crashes compared to those who did not [aOR; 2.84 (95%CI:1.06,7.63)]
Conclusion: The proportion of drivers ever involved in road crashes was high. The major factor that is associated with RC involvement was a violation of the traffic light signals. Continuous driver education and enforcement of road traffic regulations by the appropriate authorities could curb the road crash menace in the Municipality.
Keywords: commercial drivers, road crashes, vehicle, road signs, traffic light signal
Funding: The authors funded this work.


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print ISSN: 0016-9560