Browsing by Author "Brown, David"

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    Factors causing the high rate of motorcycle crashes in the Bolgatanga Municipality
    (October, 2015) Brown, David
    Motorcycles are considered very important and are the most patronised motorized transport modes in the Bolgatanga Municipality. Motorcycles are seen to contribute to the economic livelihoods of the people in the municipality. However, the most worrying situation is the high spate of motorcycle crashes in the municipality. This study sought to examine the factors causing motorcycle crashes in the Bolgatanga Municipality. Data were obtained through questionnaires administered to motorcyclists and officials of stakeholder organisations such as the National Road Safety Commission, Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service and Motorcycle crash data obtained from Building and Road Research Institute. The study found that the use of motorcycles in the Municipality play very significant role in providing a cost-efficient means of transport, easy accessibility, increased productivity, source of employment and revenues. Generally, the factors causing high rate of motorcycle crashes in the Bolgatanga Municipality are over speeding, the use of alcohol and drugs whiles driving, malfunctioning of traffic signals, weak law enforcement, lack of formal motorcycle riding training, rampant violation of road traffic regulations, ignorance of road signs by road users and inexperience on the part of motorcyclists. Due to the adverse effects of motorcycle crashes which include loss of lives, serious injuries, disability, huge hospital bills, emotional trauma, loss of investment and revenue, the development of the Bolgatanga Municipality has been impeded. The recommendation is that the municipal authorities need to erect and maintain more road signs, road markings, crosswalk, speed humps and adequate and functioning traffic signals in regulating the speed of motorists. They also need to provide formal training skills on motorcycle riding for the motorcyclists and ensure that this is mandatory for all motorcyclists so as to improve on their riding experience and skills. The motorcyclists should be educated to avoid over-speeding, over-loading, alcohol use during riding, crossing and parking at unapproved locations.