Spatial Characterization of Road Accident Hotspots in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

In developing nations, some of the common urban transport problems include: traffic congestion and delays; road traffic accidents; air and noise pollution; and indiscriminate parking, among others. This paper assessed the pattern of road accident hotspots in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria with a view to offer insights into the character of road accidents in the study area. Primary data sources for this study include: coordinates of accident hotspots generated using Global Positioning System (GPS); field observations; interview guides administered on staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the State General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. Secondary data sources include data from existing literature, published journal articles; online resources; and documented materials on road accident reports collected from the Federal Road Safety Corps office. Using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula, the multistage sampling procedure was used to administer 400 questionnaires on road users and residents in the study area. This paper revealed that infrastructure decay coupled with poor maintenance and human error are the major causes of road accidents in the identified hotspots. The paper therefore, canvases the promotion of public awareness campaigns to educate road users on traffic rules, hazard zones, and safe driving practices through regular outreach programs; also, adequate funding and maintenance of road infrastructure by the state and local governments are recommended.