Assessing the Level of Compliance to the Use of Pedestrian Bridges in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Traffic safety is as important as other issues in human life because traffic problem is the next cause of human death following cancer and other deadly diseases of the world. Pedestrian bridges are structures constructed for the purpose of allowing pedestrians to cross varieties of road without being exposed to the risks of accidents of any kind. Despite the existence of pedestrian bridges in Minna, It is observed that pedestrians still do not adhere to its use. This study aims at assessing the level of compliance to the use of pedestrian bridges in Minna. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Seven (7) pedestrian bridges were identified and used for the study. It was found that functionality in terms of usage is low (38.6%) where about 58% of the respondents opined that using pedestrian bridges is time and energy wasting despite the fact that 81% agreed that pedestrian bridges are useful and important. The study observed that the commonest reason people do not use pedestrian bridges in Minna is because they feel it is time consuming (26.1%). This indicates low level of compliance. The study concludes that pedestrian bridges are grossly under-utilized in Minna as 61.4% of the populations avoid using the pedestrian bridges while recommending adherence to pedestrian bridge use through construction of barricades on road divides/islands on pedestrian bridges location among others. This will eventually reduce road traffic accidents involving pedestrians in Minna