Effect of Restricting the Operation of Motorcycles Users to Day Light Period on RTAs: A Case Study of Jos, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Engineering and Technology
Title Effect of Restricting the Operation of Motorcycles Users to Day Light Period on RTAs: A Case Study of Jos, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 4
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 180-183
URL http://iet-journals.org/archive/2014/april_vol_4_no_4/37549138951468.pdf
Abstract
A large proportion of Nigerian urban populace relies on public transport for their daily movements. Few decades back; buses,
minibuses, and taxi cabs were the only modes of public transport in most of the cities. However, due to the fast growing of the urban
population, the demand for the service outweighs the supply by the existing modes. Inadequate supply of the service by the available
modes to cater for the urban mobility needs led to the emergence motorcycles as an additional mobility means for both commercial
and private purposes to fill in the gap in the demand and supply of public transport service. In spite of its resulting impact in relieving
the mobility problems of the cities, the use of motorcycles for public transport caused an alarming increase in road traffic accidents
(RTAs). In addition, some motorcyclists; particularly the commercial operators, occasionally used the motorcycles for criminal
activities during the night and early morning periods. This compels authorities in some Nigerians states to restrict the use of
motorcycles to certain periods. The Plateau State government happened to be one of those that restricted the movements of motorcycles
users in the state capital, Jos, to day light hours only. This paper presents an investigation into the effect of the movements restriction
policy on the occurrence motorcycles related RTAs in Jos. Data on motorcycles related accidents for four (4) years (two years before
and two years after the restriction policy) were sourced from the records of the Nigeria Police Force, Plateau State Command. Findings
from this study revealed a considerable reduction of motorcycles related RTAs in Jos as a result of the restriction policy. The policy
resulted in a reduction of motorcycles related accidents by 39% over the period used for the study. Likewise, motorcycles related RTAs
were reduced by 29%, 39%, and 72% for fatal, serious, and minor accidents, respectively.

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