Appriaral of Cross River State Road Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency on Traffic Management and Control in Calabar Metropolis

Abstract

Cross River State Road Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency was established in order to reduced the increasing number of road crashes and road violations as well as making road users comply with traffic laws and regulations and measures which remain a great challenge in Calabar metropolis. This study assesses the impact of Cross River State Road Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency on traffic management and control in Calabar metropolis. A stratified/accidental research approach was used through which data were collected from the respondents, traffic count and traffic observation were carried out in major traffic corridors in Calabar metropolis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings from the study revealed that Cross River State Road Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency has significantly ensured free flow of traffic in Calabar as well as reduced road crashes in Calabar metropolis by 20.5%, the agency has positively reduced road traffic violation in Calabar metropolis by 27.2%. Furthermore, 25.5% of FRSC staff and 30% of CRSTMRA staff agreed that public enlightenment programme is the most widely used technique for managing road safety and road accident reduction. The study also revealed that 63.7% of the commercial drivers agreed that CRSTMRA has done significantly well in its responsibility especially in educating motorists through various public enlightenment campaign. Also, 42.8% of CRSTMRA officials believed better working conditions (salary increase, staff bus, special allowance and security) are paramount for better operations. The study recommended among others, the provision of parking facilities, adequate manpower, funding for training of staff, the used of Smart technology, the need for a periodic check and maintenance of roads.