1.1 Introduction
An accident is an unpleasant, undesirable or damage that happens unexpectedly or by chance. Road accidents has been a treat to the safety of family members and are associated with numerous problems each of which needed to be addressed separately; human, vehicle and environmental factors play roles, before, during and after trauma event. Road traffic accidents are significant causes of death, injuries, disabilities, and property damages in many countries but, the incidence rate is higher in developing countries such as Nigeria (Yordphol, et al., 2011; Kuo, 2011; Sumaila, 2013). Road accident destroys peoples’ lives and properties. They do occur in different categories, take away peoples’ lives, damaged properties and cause permanent disabilities. Collisions/crashes can occur between vehicles, vehicle and motorbike, vehicle and pedestrian, motorbike and pedestrian, vehicle and animal, motorbike and animal sometimes vehicle can derail and hit electric pole or a building. They are classified as minor or fatal, depends on the degree of crashes/collisions.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Transportation is vital both to the economic success and to the quality of life in urban and rural areas. However, the rapid growth of city populations and corresponding vehicle kilometre of travel, commerce, and transportation infrastructure has generated negative effects such as congestion, deterioration of air quality, noise, and motor vehicle crashes. Humans are vehicle operators, passengers, and pedestrians, Vehicles are automobiles that move people and goods from one destination to another controlled by humans, Road is a route trafficable by vehicles, cater for pedestrians, bicycles, animals or animal’s drawn vehicles constructed by human beings and poorly maintained by human beings and environment is a surrounding defined as a combination of natural and built environment controlled and maintained by human beings.
According to Tandoh (2003), road accidents are becoming very common and are robbing the nation of its valuable human resources, he noted that the implications of these lead to both social and economic trauma. He emphasized that road accidents can be curbed by mainly educating drivers on defensive driving skills and also the enforcement of traffic laws. Sometimes Roads crashes/collisions on Ondo State roads are linked with Ondo State weather conditions such as heavy shower, fog, and gale, in such a situation road crashes/collisions is described as unavoidable but can be controlled if precaution is taken seriously.
Ondo State residents are easy to acknowledge things and it is also easy for them to forget immediately. Road accident in Ondo State does not attract media attention or State law makers. Most Nigerians have witnessed serious crashes/collisions where many lives have lost and uncountable properties have destroyed. Quietly and quickly they put them aside and continue with their normal activities. Those that have lost their lives are not remembered except individual families. To many Nigerians reckless driving is not a crime and has nothing to do with road safety.
The statistical records show that in Ondo State 92% of road crashes/collisions are caused by the road users. Reasons for vehicle crashes/collisions accidents on Ondo State Roads indicate that transport operators ignored traffic rules and regulations and continue with their attitudinal behaviour such as driving carelessly, driving under the influence of Alcohol and also engaged in bitter augments with their passengers. In the analysis of the data obtained road safety found that human error was 90%; mechanical fault was 2.4% environmental 4.7% and beyond human control was just 2.9%.
on cost elevation of road traffic accident in ondo state using human capital approach
Therefore, in Ondo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the cost elevation of road traffic accident in Ondo State using human capital approach.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that one major problem facing the Nigerian road is rapid deterioration due to construction of far below quality of engineering standards required (CBN, 2000). Also, the rates of accidents causing loss of lives and damages to roads have increased. In fact now, the major roads in Nigeria are in a great state of disrepair. Between 1991 and 1995, the economic cost of road accidents in Nigeria was estimated at about N44 billion or ($554million) (Arosanyin, 2001).
The poor condition of roads in Ondo State works against road safety, State economic activities, peoples’ lives and environmental activities. Fatalities, injuries and number of crashes/collisions attract attentions of road safety agents, public and media for a while; within a few minutes it is forgotten, they are not seen as a serious warning to all road users in Ondo State. Records of number of deaths, injured and damaged vehicles are available but records of other valuable damaged goods are not available in Ondo State.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the cost elevation of road traffic accident in Ondo State using human capital approach. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the effect of road traffic accident on Nigeria Economy
- To identify the major and minor causes of road accident.
- To portray the strategies at minimizing road traffic accidents.
- To examine the socio-economic consequences of road traffic accident in Ondo State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does the occurrence of such accident have a socioeconomic impact on the individuals involved?
- Has there been a reduction in the rate of accident in Ondo State road?
- What are the possible causes of such accident?
- What is the form or extent of road traffic accident that occurs in Ondo State road?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factor instigating the socio-economic consequences of cost elevation of road traffic accident in Ondo State.
- H1: There is a significant factor instigating the socio-economic consequences of cost elevation of road traffic accident in Ondo State.
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense importance to the ministry of transportation on getting to be apprised on the cost implication and strategies for reducing the occurrence of road traffic accident. More-also this study will as a relevant material for road transport operator is making some certain critical decision. However other personalities such as researchers, students and the general public will away find this study relevant in making reference of cost incurred in road traffic accident and will use this study to satisfy other personal or academic needs.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the cost elevation of road traffic accident in Ondo State using human capital approach.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Fatal Accidents: These accidents might result to loss of part of the body or even total loss (Death) to work.
Road Accident: Road accident is an unpleasant, undesirable or damage that happens unexpectedly or by chance.
Safety Engineering: Process of creating a work situation in which the efficiency and effectiveness of man and machine are maximized.
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