Trends and Characteristics of Road Traffic Accidents in Nigeria

THE TRENDS AND characteristics of road traffic accidents in Nigeria were evaluated using data from the police records. The study showed that there has been increasing trends in the case fatality rates, injury and th rates per 100,000 population. There have also been easing trends in the severity of the accidents. During the last ten years (1974-1983) the number of accidents increased by 10.4%, injured cases increased by 43%, cases of deaths increased by 110.6%, total casualties increased by 57.1% and human population increased by 27.2%. The mortality pattern showed that for every five fatal accident victims one subsequent death occurred outside the accident scene. The majority of the accident victims in Nigeria are young adults of the age group 22 to 30 years and about 75% of the accident victims are males. Unsafe acts (reckless and dangerous driving, driving without licence, excess speed, alcoholism, faulty pedestrian attitude, etc.) constitute the major causes of RTAs in Nigeria. Other contributory factors include unsafe driving conditions such as road and vehicle defects. The observations from the present study indicate the need for a regular evaluation of accident trends in relation to a critical evaluation and innovation of accident counter measures in Nigeria.