Knowledge and Observance of Road Communication Signs among Commercial Drivers in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Transportation is very primary in the development of any society. The increasing loss of lives, goods and services is becoming much. Traffic signs were introduced as a means of informing drivers about the nature of the road and maintain discipline in the drivers. This study set out to evaluate the knowledge and observance of road communication signs among commercial drivers in south-south, Nigeria. Using the survey method, data were collected using the questionnaire as the instrument. Employing Taro Yamane formula, a sample of 368 was arrived at. The purposive sampling method was used to select public parks in Port Harcourt, Uyo and Benin City while systematic sampling was used to select the respondents. Data were presented in tables and percentages. The results show that a good number of commercial drivers in south-south Nigeria have fair knowledge of traffic signs, but willfully do not observe them. It was recommended that the FRSC should institute refresher programmes for highway drivers at regular intervals for the drivers to have fresh thoughts of safe driving in their minds.

Key words: Road signs, Observance, Communication, Commercial drivers