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RESEARCH ARTICLE
A Study on Causes of Road Accidents at Dhaka to Aricha Highway
Farzana Rahman Chowdhury*, Tahmina Rahman Chowdhury
Department of Civil Engineering, Stamford University Bangladesh.
Abstract
This study is aimed to investigate the causes of road accidents at highway. Dhaka- Aricha highway which is one of the busiest highways in Bangladesh had been selected for this purpose. Investigation was based on field surveys that include video surveys and questionnaire surveys. Questionnaires were done on drivers and road users. For this purpose 100 people were selected in each category. Investigation reveals that according to Drivers the causes of highway road accident were 17% for overtaking, 19% for road surface condition, 3 % for unawareness, 20% for pedestrian, 6% for over speed, 2% for weather condition, 5% for violation of traffic rules. Pedestrian said the causes of highway road accident were 7% for road surface condition, 29% for overtaking, 14% for narrow road, 35% for unawareness, 5% for crowd of garment workers, 7% for speed limit violation, 3% for others. Field survey reveals that there are many urban areas and sub urban areas including garment industries, schools and colleges besides the road as well as road side activities. There were not enough foot over bridges not even a zebra crossing. Some highway road is under construction for last 3-4 years. There were not enough traffic police on those highways. There are not enough speed breakers and have a number of roads with sharp turnings which increase the chances of road accidents.
Keywords: Highway, Drivers, pedestrian, Over-speed, Accident.
Introduction
Road accident is a global issue as alike many other countries in the world Bangladesh also suffer a great deal due to road accidents every year. With the growth of motorization, urbanization and hence number of road users, the number of accidents and fatalities on road are increasing day by day. Proper previous and current rates of accidents are required to understand or judge the situation accordingly. Bangladesh imposes very high road accident fatalities. Official figure shown by national statistical survey which indicates more than 62 deaths occurrence happened for each 10,000 motor vehicle. Road accident causes serious injury and health problems to many people [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a million people are killed on the world’s roads each year. A report published by the WHO in 2013 estimated that some 1.2 million people were killed and 50 million injured in traffic collisions on the roads around the world each year and was the leading cause of death among children 10 -19 years of age [2].
Road transportation is the major mode of transport in Bangladesh. Over 70 percent of passengers travel and much of our goods transportation occurs over the highways [3]. There is no doubt that road transportation is vitally important to our economic and social welfare and must be so maintained and continually improved with due consideration for safety, minimizing accidents and risks. However, each year thousands of people are killed and injured on our roads [4].This study investigates some causes of road accident in one of the major highway in Bangladesh namely Dhaka-Aricha highway.
Some objectives of accident studies are listed below
To study the causes of accidents and suggest corrective measures at potential location.
To investigate the causes of the road accidents in Dhaka to Aricha highway.
To suggest some remedial measures for increasing the awareness between the pedestrian and drivers.
Materials and Methods
The process of survey and all information collected from different sources were as follows:
Field visits were made to different locations of the roads from Dhaka to Aricha highway .The locations of study points were, Aminbazar, Hemayetpur, Savar, Bishmile, Nabinagar, Manikganj, Mohadevpur and Arichaghat.To collect preliminary and final data and information, questionnaires were formulated and interviews were taken
randomly with different categories of people including pedestrians, bus drivers, helpers, CNG drivers, Dhaka Metropolitan police, elite of the city based on the factors like the causes of road accidents, awareness of the people about traffic rules and regulations etc and their suggestions on mitigation measures to be under taken to minimize the problems related to road accidents at Dhaka to Aricha highway. In addition, data and information were collected from different sources like Dhaka metropolitan police (DMP), Bangladesh Roads & Highway(R&H) Accident Research Institute. The flow chart of the process of study is given below:
Fig. 1: Flow chart of the study
Data Analysis
Data Analysis is performed on questionnaire survey of drivers and road users and phototropic survey investigating some causes of accidents and existing roadway environment.
Findings of Questionnaire among
Drivers
Questionnaire surveys were conducted among seventy drivers driving different types of vehicles in the concern highway. Maximum drivers were not well educated. Fig 2 shows that, drivers educational levels are 72% primary school, 20% high school, 6% S.S.C &H.S.C and 2% others. They do not have sufficient knowledge for this reason accident
may be occurring. Different types of vehicle were movement in Dhaka to Aricha highway. There are bus, truck, motor cycle, private cars and others. Fig 3 showing, bus 45%, truck 30%, private cars 12%, motorcycle 10%, and others 3%.Drivers are often involved in the highway road accident. Fig 4 shows that, 90% drivers have legal license but 10% have no license. According to the questionnaire survey result in Fig 5 Sixty percent drivers said that no and forty percent drivers said that yes. The major causes of highway road accident are always drivers and pedestrians’ related .when the drivers failed to see pedestrian and fail to attention than it will be occurred. According to the field survey
result in Fig 6 about 51% pedestrians, 20% competition between two drivers, 12% poor road surface, 8% drug addicted drivers, 7% weather condition and 2% lucks are the main causes of highway road accident. Road accident is the most unwanted thing to happen to road users, though they happen quite often. Fig 7 shows, the behavior of pedestrian contributes 40%, drivers contributes 30%, passengers contributes 20% and other contributes 10% are responsible for highway road accident. The maximum drivers are driving the vehicle average range of time. Maximum drivers driving time 10 to
12 hours shown in Fig 9. Driver’s error remains the most common causes of highway road accident. Fig 8 shows, about 93% drivers were not using seat belt .If the driver wears seat belt about( 30-40)% life will be saved. Fig 10 shows 28% drivers use phone during driving which is alarming. Government can take positive steps to reduce highway road accident. Most of the drivers think that the government is not sincere to reduce accident .So drivers said that these steps should be taken to reduce accident: increase awareness, increasing the awareness of garments workers which is shown in Fig 11.
Figure 2 and 3: Education level and types of vehicles in the highway
Figure 4 and 5 : Percentage of drivers having license and accident occurred by drivers
Figure 8 and 9: Quantity of drivers wearing seat belt and driving hours in a day
Figure10 and 11: No. of drivers receiving phone calls and national measures taken while driving
Findings of Questionnaire among
Pedestrian
Questionnaire surveys were conducted among 100 pedestrians. Fig 12 shows their educational level that is 13% primary school, 17% High school, 25%S.S.C, 27%H.S.C and 18% graduate. Fig 13 show causes of accidents. From the basis of their opinion about 43% garments workers, 26% overtaking, 14% narrow road, 10% Road surface condition, and 7% others were responsible for the causes of highway road accident Maximum pedestrian are blame to drivers for the highway road accident. In Fig 14 it is shown that, about 55% drivers were responsible for the highway road accident.
And also responsible for highway road accident are unawareness, unfit vehicle and competition between two vehicles. According to questionnaire survey about 40% bus, 36% truck, and 16% motorcycle are involved in the road accident shown in Fig 15. Fig 16 shows 92% pedestrian were not used a phone during crossing the highway road. The probability of accidents can be reduced in the number of different ways.
According to pedestrian steps taken by Government are increasing the awareness, trained drivers, increase road width and properly road maintenance shown in Fig 17.
Figure 14 and 15: Responsible for accidents and types of vehicles in highway
Figure 16 and 17: Use of phone during driving and steps taken by government
Findings of Photographic Survey
Field visit reveals some causes of accidents. Road repairing works, reckless driving, poor lane maintenance, poor road surface condition, sharp bends etc. are some mentionable causes. There are also some positive sides to make road users conscious for accidents. Though distraction while driving could be minor but it can cause major accident. Distraction could be outside or inside the vehicle. The major distraction now days are talking on mobile phone while driving. Some of other distractions on road are adjusting mirror while driving, animals on the road, banners and billboards, extra noise, road repairing.
Fig 18 show road repairing work is going on. Use of seat belt in four- wheeler is mandatory and not wearing seat belt and helmets doubles the chances of survival in a serious accident. Motorcyclist often does not wear helmets shown in Fig 19.Fig 20 shows reckless driving. Sometimes competition between drivers and overtaking causes accidents.
Poor lane discipline is one of the important causes of highway road accident. Some drivers are all over the place and they don’t seem to realize that they are supposed to stay in between those lines shown in Fig 21. Vehicles are also responsible to the highway road accident.
Failure of breaks, poor quality steering, poor quality tire bust, insufficient headlights, adjusting fail to mirrors while driving. Fig 22 shows unfit vehicles. Overtaking is the most important factor to causes of highway road accident. Overtaking or passing is the act of one vehicle going past another slower moving vehicle travelling in the same direction on a road. Poor road surface is the another reasons of road accident shown in Fig 23.. In our country, maximum highway road surface is very poor quality. Photo 7 shows how careless or unaware people are to use the roads. Fig 24 shows sharp bends that obstruct visibility. Fig 25, 26 and 27 show some positive sides of roads. There are some markings and cautionary signs in the area and also foot-over bridge is observed [5] .
Figure 18and 19: Road repairing activities and motor cyclist not wearing helmets
Figure 20 and: Reckless driving and Poor lane maintenance
Fig 22 and 23: Unfit vehicles and poor surface condition
Figure 24 and 25: Unawareness of people and sharp bends
Figure 26 and 27: Warning Sign and sign use in highway
Conclusions
Based on these findings, some general conclusions are made, which can be used as the
guides while fixing priority between
engineering and enforcement measures to improve the performance of signalized intersections in Dhaka City. The general conclusions obtained from this study are summarized as follows.
From questionnaire survey, it is found that
according to drivers the causes of highway road accident are as follows: 17% for overtaking, 19 % for road surface condition, 31 % for unawareness, 20 % for pedestrian, 6 % for over speed, 2 % for weather condition, 5 % for competition.
According to Drivers, the steps taken by the government to reduce road accidents are as follows: 32% while drivers are trained, 19% in case of increasing awareness, 23% in case of roadway condition is improved, 15% if road traffic system , 4% banned unfit vehicle, 7 % for others.
From questionnaire survey, it is found that
according to Pedestrian the causes of highway road accident are as follows: Pedestrian 7 % for road surface condition, 29 % for overtaking, 14 % for narrow road, 35 % for unawareness, 5 % for garment workers, 7 % for over speed, 3 % for others.
According to Pedestrian, the steps taken by
government to reduce road accidents should be as follows: 30% for proper trained for drivers, 23 % for improve road condition, 15 % for improve traffic system, 27 % for increase awareness, 5 % for banned unfit vehicle.
Field survey reveals that, Dhaka to Aricha
highway is very sensitive because this is an important gateway for Dhaka city so lots vehicle use this road without following any traffic law properly.
There are very busy road beside; there are
many urban areas and sub urban areas including garment industries, school and college besides the road including many road side activities like bazars and stalls.
Pedestrian have to cross the road regularly
but there has no foot over bridge not even a zebra crossing. Some highway road is under constructed last (3-4) years. There are not enough traffic police in these highways. There are not enough speed breakers.
From the photographic survey it is clear that
maximum drivers violate the traffic rules and regulations and do not follow the speed limit properly. They have a tendency of reckless driving, overtaking and over speeding movement.
Based on the conclusion drawn above the following observations are made:
Government should impose traffic rules and regulations strictly.
Number of highway police station should be increased.
Garment industries should be shifted from Dhaka to Aricha highway.
Carrying of excess passengers and loads on buses, trucks etc should be strictly prohibited.
Separate lanes should be constructed for non motorized vehicles like rickshaws, buses, trucks, vans, cars etc. Non motorized vehicles should not be allowed to move on the highway road.
Lack of awareness and consciousness about road safety among road users, planners and engineers, exacerbates the problem. This problem can be mitigated with public awareness campaigns, improved driver training and better trained enforcement personnel and engineers.
References
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2.Hoque MM, Debnath Ahmed SN, Newaz KM (2006) Speed Limit and Accidents on National Highway: ACase Study”, International Conference Proceedings on "Road Safety in Developing Countries", BUET, Dhaka, 22-24.
3.Hoque MM, Rahman MF, Ashrafuzzaman M, Sarkar S (2006b) Hazardous Road Locations (HRL) on National Highways in Bangladesh. Proceedings of International
Conference on Road Safety in Developing Countries, BUET, Dhaka, 22-24:229-237.190
4.Roads & Highways Division ‘Annual Traffic Survey Report, 1981-1983”, Traffic division 1, Govt. of Bangladesh, 1984. 5.Branston D, Gipps P (1981) “Some Experiences with a
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