Factors associated with knowledge of road signs and past history of road traffic accident among commercial drivers plying the Kaduna Abuja expressway, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Road traffic signs are salient ways of communication to road users, violations of which is implicated in causing road traffic accidents with good knowledge, interpretation, and observance required to reduce the incidence of road traffic accidents. This research aimed to assess factors associated with knowledge of road signs and past history of road traffic accident among commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 366 registered commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and observations. The drivers were recruited through a multistage sampling technique. Common road signs in their usual colors were shown to the drivers to test their ability to correctly identify the signs. Their responses were recorded and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 and presented as frequencies, percentages, and charts. Fisher's exact and Chi-square were done; and conclusions made at a p-value of <0.05 level of significance.

Results: A total of 366 participants were interviewed in this study, all of which were males. The study found that only 126 (34.4%) respondents had good knowledge of road traffic signs while most 240 (65.6%) had poor knowledge. One hundred and six drivers (44.3%) have a history of accidents in the past. The average score for awareness of road traffic signs was 50.1%, with the 'Slippery surface' sign as the least identified sign 41(11.2%) while the 'Children crossing' sign was the most familiar sign, 304 (83.1%). Only age (middle age) and mode of training (driving school) had a statistically significant relationship with knowledge (p=0.006; p=0.006, respectively). On the history of accidents in the past and driving characteristics only possession of a driver's license had a statistically significant relationship (p=0.017)

Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge of road signs among most of the commercial drivers plying the Kaduna-Abuja expressway. It was therefore recommended that all commercial drivers are educated on road signs at points of obtaining a driver's license and a revision done during the renewal of such license.