AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF VEHICLE BREAKDOWN AND ROAD ACCIDENTS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and effects of vehicle breakdown and road accidents in the Bolgatanga Municipality using purposive random sampling technique with emphasis on convenience sampling technique or method to sample out the various respondents for the study. Out of 100 respondents chosen for the study, only 96 respondents responded to the questionnaire. The objectives of the study were to determine the causes of frequent vehicle breakdown, assess the level of competence of vehicle mechanics, and how to reduce frequent vehicle breakdown. The result on the causes emerged that improper care of vehicles was the major cause of vehicular breakdown and accidents as many drivers do not check their vehicles daily before use, no respect for road safety regulations, high alcoholic intake of drivers, over speeding and driving whiles making or receiving calls, and overloading of passengers/goods were some of the discussed causes. On the level of competence of vehicle mechanics, the study revealed that many of the mechanics are not performing to satisfaction and must be certified by a higher authority before operating and be exposed to formal vocational or technical training on current technology and entrepreneurial skills. On how to reduce frequent vehicle breakdowns and accidents; vehicle drivers must comply with the road traffic laws, and perform routine maintenance of their vehicles. Finally the study recommends that, there should be Government/private partnership to train mechanics, provide heavy duty towing trucks to clear breakdown vehicles and the MTTU police and DVLA should be strict in their operations with more public education on the causes of vehicular breakdown and road accidents and penalties for infringement of traffic laws.