Epidemiology of Road Traffic Accidents in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

A STUDY of Road Traffic Accident (RTA) was carried out in Zaria for the period of eight (8) years, from 1972 to 1979. Data was collected from the Motor Traffic Division (MTD), of the Nigeria Police Force, Zaria, Medical Records Office and Casualty Ward of Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U.) Teaching Hospital, Zaria. It was found that there were more RTA on Tuesdays (16.10%) and Wednesdays (16.63%) than Fridays (11.52%) and Saturdays (11.87%). More cases of RTA were witnessed in the months of September (9.48%) and October (11.20%) than in February (6.82%) and June (2.82%). Reckless ness and negligence of drivers (23.58%) was found to be mostly responsible for the cause of RTA while intoxication (0.59%) was found to be the least cause. Private car drivers played more role in RTA in Zaria than any of the other participants like taxi drivers, bus drivers and motor cyclists. More males were involved in the accidents than females. Four years (1975-78) analy sis of RTAs revealed that there were six (6) cases of RTAs in Zaria everyday, and two (2) persons were injured or maimed everyday in Zaria. Recommendations aimed at enhancing road safety are highlighted.