CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

 1.1 Background to the study.

Road accidents are a global problem resulting in millions of deaths and injuries every year. According to the World Health Organization (2015) approximately 1.35 million people lose their lives annually, and between 20 – 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries and these people are mostly the young, aged 5-29 years. Children, pedestrians, cyclists and older people, are among the most vulnerable of road users constituting half of those dying on the world’s roads. The rate of accidents is not the same World Wide and developed countries report lower rates than developing countries (Alonso et al, 2021).

Japan recorded 3416 road fatalities in 2020, representing a 13% decrease compared to 2019 where the rates of fatalities were many. Inappropriate speed was one of the leading causes of road crashes in Japan. In 2020, about 178 people were killed in alcohol related crashes and 0.8 of all crashes were due to drivers being under the influence of alcohol and the use of mobile phones while driving. Improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, adults and children, was an essential focus of a programme launch in 2021 in Japan.

Majority of the world’s fatalities on the road occurs in low income countries even though these countries have approximately half of the world’s vehicles. China is no exception and data shows that more than 2.61% of total deaths on China roads are caused by drivers. Shenzhen News (2020), ranked China one of the top countries with fatalities from road accidents. Rapid urbanization and Motorization without any improvement in, appropriate injury prevention programmers’, poor enforcement of traffic laws has worsened the situation. Wang et al, (2019) identified some significant factors of driver responsibility in road accidents especially among taxi drivers in China. These factors included; overtaking, reckless driving, crossing the red lights, honking at a slow driver, driver fatigue, driving with one hand, being the main reasons for road accidents in China.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has the world’s highest road accident death rates. Every day, nearly a thousand people are killed and tens of thousands injured, not to mention the considerable economic losses they provide. Most African countries face significant gaps in awareness and capacity to promote road safety. As a result, investment in road safety is limited and the number of road crashes continue to grow rapidly in Africa, with Nigeria topping the list of African countries with the most traffic accident related fatalities. In Nigeria, about 4387 lives were lost to road traffic accident during the first half of 2023. The Corps Public Education Officer attributed the cause of these accidents to various factors, including drivers’ irresponsibility of performing their duties accordingly, and use of deteriorated vehicles (Olamide Ologunagbe,2022).

Cameroon in particular records an average of 16,583 road accidents each year, killing more than 1000 people according to WHO estimate (2020). The leading cause of road accidents in Cameroon include; driver behavior, the vehicle, and other contributing factors like the environment and pedestrian behavior. This is a call for Cameroon to double its efforts and improve the road safety condition (Unece org, 2020).

Reckless driving, is one of the most leading and major causes of road accidents especially among bike riders and commercial vehicle drivers on the highway. Data shows drunken driving to be responsible for about 34.1% of road accidents resulting from alcohol related issues (Li et al, 2020). The risk of being involved in a crash increase above a blood alcohol concentration of 0.4g/dl.

Overtaking increases, the probability of fatal injuries for car occupants from near zero to almost 100% as the change of speed during the impact increases from 20 kilometers per hour to 100 kilometers per hour. Pedestrians have a 90% chance of surviving car crashes at 30 kilometers per hour and below, but a less than 50% chance of surviving impact at 45 kilometers per hour or above (Hossain et al, 2005).

Overloading causing vehicles to lose balance, driver fatigue and sleepiness, driving with one hand, non-respect for traffic rules, non-use of seat belts are all significant contributing factors to accidents (Regev S, 2018)

Mechanical defects are also major aspects that are engaged in the Cameroon highway road accident. Mechanical defects such as break failures and tire defect are registered aspects that are involved in cases of road accidents in Cameroon. Government statistics in 2019 showed that 20% of road traffic accidents in Cameroon is due to mechanical default. Most of the vehicles plying the highway are over 15 years of age with little or no maintenance.

The Bamenda-Fundong axis is a major transportation route connecting the city of Bamenda and the town of fundong in the North West Region of Cameroon. This road plays a crucial role in facilitating economic and social activities in the region serving as a vital link for trade, commuting and transportation of goods and services. The road is known for its scenic beauty, yet it presents several challenges in terms of safety due to its limited visibility, curvaceous nature (Fogwe, 2020). Along the Bamenda-Fundong road, it is crucial to recognize the role of driver responsibility in road accidents in this region. Common factors contributing to road accidents here are; excessive speeding increasing the risk of reacting too late to hazardous situations, reckless overtaking on the curvaceous road pose a significant danger, reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, distracted driving by use of mobile phones, eating and driving, overloading of passengers and cargo causing an unbalance of  the vehicle which may sometimes lead to breakdowns, non – respect of traffic signals, use of pedestrians sidewalks for parking and driving thus leaving pedestrians with limited sidewalks pose a danger. Lack of appropriate training and skills especially among bike riders is also a noticeable factor that contribute to road accidents. All these factors, contribute to road accidents which are as a result of drivers deviating from their responsibility to ensure safety when plying the road.                                 

1.2 Problem statement

Road accident has been one of the major causes of deaths World Wide today, causing injuries, fatalities, and property damage. Understanding the responsibility of drivers in road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis appears to be one of the urban-rural problems in the area. This is due to inappropriate use of the highway by majority of the drivers, thus leaving pedestrians with no space on the road and no choice but to enter the road, negligence and distracted driving such as the use of mobile phones, eating diverts the attention of drivers on the road, impaired driving such as driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, leading to an increase risk of accidents, driver. failure to adhere to traffic rules and regulations like speed limits, right of way, lane discipline and signaling, not only poses a danger but increases the likelihood of accidents, putting all road users at risk. Vehicle maintenance negligence by commercial drivers, bike riders, can lead to breakdowns, which can be indicated as a lack of responsible action on the part of the driver to ensure maximum care. Lack of awareness of surroundings included the movement of other vehicles. Pedestrians can limit the reaction time and increase the risk of accidents, lack of education and appropriate training limits the knowledge and skills of many drivers to handle various road situations, no respect for pedestrian crossing by limiting speed at zebra crossing, are all contributing factors to the prevalence of road accidents which are all a result of driver’s deviation from their duty to prioritize the safety of themselves, other road users and pedestrians. The impacts of driver responsibility in road accidents are numerous and become necessary to investigate and examine the causes and consequences of driver responsibility in the Bamenda-Fundong axis.

Addressing the problem of driver responsibility in road accidents requires a multi-faceted approach involving stringent law enforcement, driver education initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and technological advancements that enhance vehicle safety. Promoting a culture of responsibility and emphasizing the consequences of negligence can go a long way in reducing the occurrence of road accidents and ensuring safer roads for everyone. To overcome the existing causes and prospects, there is therefore a need for a research on driver responsibility in road accidents with a focus on the   Bamenda-Fundong axis, in the North West Region.

3.1 Research questions

   The research questions, are subdivided into main research question and specific questions.

1.3.1 Main Research Question

What is the extent of driver responsibility in road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis?

       1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

What are the driver’s responsibility as regards the occurrence of road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis?

How exposed is the population to the reckless driving along the Bamenda-Fundong axis?

What effective measures can be implemented to maximize and reduce road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis that result from drivers’ irresponsibility?

3.1 Research Objective

The research objective is formulated as main and specific.

1.4.1 The main Research Objective

To investigate and analyze the impact of driver responsibility in road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong Axis.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

To examine driver responsibility that result in the occurrence of road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis

To investigate the extent of the population to the reckless driving responsibility along the Bamenda-Fundong axis

To propose effective measures to maximize and reduce road accidents along the Bamenda-Fundong axis

1.4 Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant relationship between driver irresponsibility and road accident

H1: There is a significant relationship between driver irresponsibility and road accident