Evaluation of Public Road Transportation Safety in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract:

This study investigates the prevalence of road traffic accidents and assesses passenger perceptions of safety within Akure's public transportation network over a 11-year period (2013–2023). The study employs a mixed-methods approach by combining accident data obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with primary data collected through structured passenger surveys. Quantitative analysis was conducted using SPSS, while ArcGIS was utilized to identify accident hotspots across major and minor roads in Akure. The findings revealed that the Akure-Owo and Akure-Ilesa highways are the most accident-prone, with the highest frequencies of fatal, serious and minor accidents. A total of 30 accident hotspots were identified. The passenger survey indicated 75.0% of respondents reported witnessing a safety incident on the Akure-Owo highway, corroborating that safety incidents are a significant concern, particularly on the Akure-Owo highway. There was strong support for better lighting, regular vehicle maintenance, and speed limit cameras, particularly on the Akure-Ondo and Akure-Ado highways. Safety perceptions were found to correlate strongly with actual accident statistics, highlighting gaps in enforcement, infrastructure and emergency response. This research emphasizes the need for targeted safety interventions, improved road infrastructure and the inclusion of commuter feedback in transport planning to enhance safety outcomes and restore public trust in Akure’s road transport system.

• Periodical: Engineering Headway (Volume 33)
• Pages: 307-315
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-C4Lsr4
• Online since: February 2026
• Authors: Olufikayo Oluwaseun Aderinlewo, Oluwafemi Oluwadamilola Ojo*
• Keywords: Accidents, Clusters, Fatal, Road Maintenance, Safety

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