INTRODUCTION

The menace of road traffic accidents (described by the World Health Organization, WHO, as a cost modernization) is becoming as internationally recognized concern. It has been studied Road traffic accident (RTA) results in the death of about 12m people worldwide each year and injuries about 4 times this number (WHO, 2004)

Ondo State, Nigeria, a slightly heavily motorized state with poor traffic infrastructural systems has a high rate of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in relation to vehicle ownership in Nigeria and the tendency is on the increase. This is partly due to the boast in commercial and tertiary activities in recent years in the state. Needless to say, Akure, being the seat of power, major and most economic activities are centered in and around it mitigating against the low and serene traffic (once enjoyed in the state decades back). The boast in economic activities in the capital, and its environs, has triggered major concerns on road transport safety. There has been a sharp increase in road transport accident in Akure metropolitan in recent times, (FRSC, 2011). According to AUSTROADS (1994), road accidents occur as a result of one, or more than one of the following factors: human factors, vehicle factors, road and environmental factors. Driving faster or slower than the flow of traffic which may or may not accord with the posted speed limit has robustly been demonstrated to increase the likelihood and severity of crashes, as shown by the Solomon curve (OOIDA, 2003). The factors of traffic accidents are driver, the highway and motor vehicles (Balogun and Adereoje, 1992) and a high proportion of RTAs can be apportioned to unsafe human acts. The drunken drivers of motor vehicles make the clearest example reckless and dangerous driving: alcoholism, faulty pedestrian attitude, etc. constitute the major causes in Akure, even in Nigeria at large (Odero, 1998). The incessant loss of lives and properties associated with road transport in Nigeria inspired the establishment of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). The FRSC was established by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria via Decree 45 of 1988 as amended by Decree 35 of 1992, with effect from 18th February, 1988 (under the auspices of Former Head of state General Ibrahim Gbadamus Babaginda). The commission was charged with responsibilities for among other, policy making, organization and administration of road safety in Nigeria.

As can be seen from road accident statistics (between 1999 till date), legislative and other countermeasures such as the establishment of FRSC and the vehicle inspection officials (VIO) have not recorded spectacular achievement. Records still show that RTA in Nigeria requires attention (Eke et al, 2000). Upon this backdrop, this work shall extremely deal with control measures for road accidents with a drive at reducing the rate of RTA and the consequent injuries and fatalities in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. Akure metropolitan is serviced by Ibadan- Akure express way, Benin-Akure express way, AdoEkiti- Akure road, among other roads. Akure metropolitan enjoys high presence of tertiary and corporate institutions: The Federal University of Technology, Akure, School of Nursing, Igbatoro, School of Health Technology, Igbatoro, Access Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Union Bank for Africa, Intercontinental Bank and so on.

Central measures associated with human behavior during road usage (the human factor) and road and environmental factors (associated with road accidents) will be extensively death with.

In the United States of America, RTAs are the forefront of the cause of injury death (Subramanian, 2006). Mungnimit (2001) affirmed that 13,000 people died in road vehicles accidents, RVAs and hundreds of thousands are either injured or crippled annual in Thailand. Out of the four major modes of transportation namely road, rail, air and water, road does been, noted to put people at the greatest risk of injury per kilometers travelled (WHO, 2004). Moreover, RTAs are dominated by young adults who constitute the work force of any nation who (Posada et al, 2000). A study carried out by Eke et al (2000) in Nigeria found that RVAs was the leading course of death in Port-Harcourt (Nigeria). Relatedly, Balogun & Abereoje (1992) observed that RVA.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The number of road transport accidents in Akure, Ondo State is on the increase in recent time. As can be seen from road accidents statistics (between 1988 till date), legislature and others

counter measures such as the establishment of FRSC and the Vehicle Inspection Officials (VIO) have not recorded spectacular achievement. Records still show that RTA in Akure require proactive control measures (Eke et al, 2000).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The principal aim of this project work is to provide an in depth control measures for road accidents in Akure city, Ondo State Nigeria. To itemize all required road safety tips and recommends proactive ways in implementing these tips. Various counter measures, both behavioral and roadway related, would be recommended. To drastically reduce the content of fatality and economic wastes associated with road as a means of transportation.

JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

The recent boast in commercial and tertiary activities in Ondo State has culminated into a sharp rise in traffic, both in people in-ward migration and economic activities in the state capital, Akure. Conversely, this sudden rush has raised concern for a proactive death toll rate, injuries fatalities and economic wastes have been on the increase, especially during rainy seasons.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This work stipulates proactive control measures for road accidents in Akure. Some of these slightly heavy traffic flows, paying little attention to the Evaluation of traffic crash fatality causative agents and effects. Effective implementation guides/ tools of these control measures will be recommended.

LITERATURE REVIEW Ismail etal (2009) analyzed the data on the road vehicles accidents from 1960 to 2006, compared the data for pre-Federal Road Safety Commission, and developed models for the prediction of number of reported cases of road accidents, number of deaths attributes to RVAs as well as

number of injuries. Statistical package, the package was also used to develop the best fit for the collected data by considering eleven models and the best selected.

Fig 1: Trends of Road Vehicles Accidents form 1960-2006

Table 1: Road Vehicles Accidents Data from 1960-2006

Their study confirmed that thought there was significant reduction in the number of reported cases of accidents, these were no significant reduction of both deaths and injuries comparing the period between the inauguration of Federal Road Safety Commission and afterwards as shown in Figure 1and Table 1, above. More so, the models developed for the predicting the reported cases of accidents, number of deaths and number of injuries was representatives of data collected and can thus be used adequately for prediction.

Ohakwe etal (2011) carried out an analysis of road traffic accidents in Nigeria. A case study of Obinze/Nekede/Ineagwa road in Imo State, south eastern, Nigeria. Data on recorded cases of road traffic accidents were collected from the Motor Traffic Division (MTDRTR), the Nigerian Police Force, Divisional Headquarters Umuguma, Owerri West, Imo State Police Command.

Using the method of time series decomposition, traffic road accidents were characterized to have an upward trend ad significant seasonal influences. Using chi-square test of significance, it was discovered that there were significant differences among the various causes of accidents and accidents cases (Minor, fatal and serious) with respect to types of vehicles involved over the years. Out of 5921 accidents cases, reckless driving, inexperience and mechanical fault and road defects accounted for 30.3, 21.5 and 21.1% respectfully. It was also found that private cars, minibuses and taxis accounted for most of the accidents with 94.7% of the total accidents. Table 2, shows a categorisation of their findings

Table 2: Type of accidents cases by Type.

The pattern of road traffic accidents and emergency management study was undertaken by Ozoemena and Oyiogun (1997). Their research was based on data available at the Casualty Department of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; a total of 2399 accidents victims between 1st January, 1993 and 31st December, 1997. They found that there were seasonal variations with pecks in November, December and January. Head injury alone or in combination with other injuries accounted for about 60% of the cases. 80% of the cases were successful resuscitated, and 8.6% referred to National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu (NOHE). Mortality rate was 11%!

Jacobs and Amy

In both Nigeria (Oluwasanmi 1993; Ezenwa 1986) and Kenya (NRSC 1992), For example, a fire fold incease in traffic-related fatalities was observed over the last 30years. African and Asian countries, with relatively low vehicle densities, are experiencing substantially higher fatality rates per 10,000 vehicles than the industrized European and North American States (Jacob and Sayer 1983; WHO 1993). Traffic crashes also impact on the estimated cost of 1-2% of a countrys GNP per annum, as a result of morbidity, mortality and property-related costs (Fouracre of Joacbs 1986; Downing et al 1991)

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