CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRUDUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Road transportation is a critical component of economic and social development, providing mobility for people and goods, and facilitating access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment. However, it is also one of the leading sources of injuries and fatalities worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic accidents claim over 1.3 million lives annually and leave millions more injured or permanently disabled, particularly in developing countries.

Cameroon, like many Sub-Saharan African nations, continues to face major road safety challenges. Urban areas such as Bamenda, the capital of the North West Region, are experiencing rapid population growth, increasing motorization, and inadequate road infrastructure. Among the critical transport corridors in Bamenda is the Up station Hill road—a steep, winding, and often congested stretch that connects the central business district to administrative and residential zones at higher elevation.

The Up station Hill road is characterized by sharp bends, steep gradients, poor visibility, and frequent traffic conflicts, particularly between vehicles and pedestrians. Over the years, it has become a hotspot for road crashes, ranging from minor collisions to fatal accidents. Local authorities, transport unions, and residents have voiced concerns about the safety of this road segment, citing poor road conditions, reckless driving, inadequate signage, and insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations.

Given these concerns, there is a growing need for a detailed investigation into the specific causes of accidents on this road and an assessment of the current road infrastructure from an engineering safety perspective. A road safety engineering audit provides a structured approach to identifying potential hazards in road design, layout, and operation. Such an audit, combined with accident analysis, can lead to evidence-based recommendations to reduce crash risks and improve overall safety.

This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the causes of accidents along the Upstation Hill in Bamenda and to conduct a comprehensive road safety engineering audit. The ultimate aim is to provide practical recommendations to enhance road safety and reduce accident rates in this critical urban corridor.

1.2Problem Statement

Road traffic accidents have become a pressing public safety concern in Bamenda, particularly along the Up station Hill corridor. This road segment, which links the central business district with key administrative and residential areas, is marked by steep slopes, sharp bends, inadequate signage, poor drainage, and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure. As a result, it has become a high-risk zone for frequent traffic crashes involving both vehicles and pedestrians.

Despite growing awareness among residents and stakeholders about the dangers posed by this road, there has been little in the way of systematic investigation or engineering audit to identify the root causes of these accidents. Most interventions have been reactive and poorly coordinated, with limited data-driven approaches to road safety improvements. The lack of structured assessments also means that potentially life-saving infrastructure upgrades—such as better signage, speed controls, improved lighting, and drainage—are either delayed or improperly implemented.

The absence of a comprehensive road safety engineering audit further exacerbates the risk, as critical safety flaws in the road design and usage patterns remain undetected or unaddressed. This not only endangers road users but also undermines the economic and social productivity of the region due to traffic delays, injuries, and loss of life.

This study seeks to bridge that gap by analyzing the key causes of accidents and conducting a detailed road safety audit of the Upstation Hill road. The findings are intended to inform practical, evidence-based recommendations to enhance the safety and usability of this vital road segment.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.3.1Main objective

The main objective of this study is to investigate the causes of road accidents and conduct a comprehensive road safety engineering audit along the Upstation Hill in Bamenda, with the aim of proposing effective safety improvement measures.

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

• To identify and analyze the common causes of road accidents along the Upstation Hill road.
• To assess the physical and geometric characteristics of the road that may contribute to accidents.
• To evaluate the existing road safety features such as signage, road markings, guardrails, and pedestrian facilities.
• To examine driver and pedestrian behavior patterns contributing to unsafe road use.
• To map accident-prone locations (black spots) based on field observations and available data.
• To conduct a road safety engineering audit in accordance with standard procedures.
• To propose evidence-based on recommendations for reducing accidents and improving road safety on the Upstation Hill corridor.

1.4 Research Questions

To guide the investigation, the following research questions have been formulated:

• What are the most common causes of road accidents along the Upstation Hill in Bamenda?
• How do road design and physical conditions contribute to accident risks in the study area?
• What is the condition and effectiveness of existing road safety features such as signage, road markings, and pedestrian infrastructure?
• Which locations along the Upstation Hill can be classified as accident-prone or high-risk zones?
• What behavioral factors among drivers and pedestrians contribute to accidents on this road?
• What are the key findings from a road safety engineering audit of the Upstation Hill road?
• What practical measures can be implemented to enhance safety and reduce accident occurrences along the corridor?