CELL PHONE COMMUNICATION AND RISK OF ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH

*Sunday Ogunsuyi Popoola, Mouruf Babatunde Yusuf, Johnson Dare Ogunlusi and Kehinde Sunday Oluwadiya

ABSTRACT

Background: Consecutive communication apparatuses are revolutionizing the world of Homo sapiens loquens right from pre-historic era to modern-day internet epoch’s global village. Untoward utility of cell phones is a likelihood of road traffic crash. This study investigated attitudes of driver/conductor and pedestrian/passenger categories on roads and made recommendations. Methods: In Southwestern Nigeria, a self-administered questionnaire with Likert-style was formulated. Participants were engaged at weeks in different commercial motor parks and fuel stations across a city. Data entered into a statistical package. Statistical-significance was taken as p<0.05. Results: Randomized sample of 1000 individuals participated with equal ratio of drivers and pedestrians. Modal age group was 41-50years; male:female=3:2. Majority (54.4%) attained tertiary education. Civil servants 254(25.4%) was the largest in occupation. Five-hundred and seventy people (57.0%) had been using cell phone for the past 6-10years and 770(77.0%) had inbuilt camera incorporated. Less than 50% never practiced picking/making calls while on roads. Greater than and less than 50% never sent/read text messages and never enjoyed music with earpiece on roads respectively. Less than 50% switched off cell phones on roads. More than 50% knew the moral obligations associated with cell phone communication. Conclusion: Majority recognized cell phone communication on roads as a potential risk of crash. One-fifth of respondents never heard anything about abuse of cell phone on roads causing crash. A quarter never obeyed the idea of pulling over/stopping at a convenient spot to utilize cell phone. Legislation against abuse of cell phone should be extended to pedestrians on or by roads.

Keywords: Cell phone; Driver; Pedestrian; Injury; Prevention.