ANALYSIS OF VEHICULAR ROADWORTHINESS INSPECTION VOLUMES AND ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH METRICS RELATIONSHIP IN THE FCT, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between vehicle roadworthiness inspections and road traffic crash metrics in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria, from 2014 to 2024. A longitudinal quantitative analysis was conducted using secondary data from the Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). The research employed correlation and multiple regression analyses to examine the associations between inspection volumes, compliance rates, and accident metrics. Analysis of 443,640 vehicle inspections revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between roadworthiness inspection activities and road traffic crashes. The study found that total inspections and passed inspections were strongly associated with crash reduction, explaining 64.3% of crash rate variance. Commercial saloon vehicles demonstrated the highest failure rate at 78.3%, indicating a critical area for targeted interventions. The research underscores the importance of systematic vehicle roadworthiness inspections in enhancing road safety. While inspection programs significantly contribute to accident prevention, the findings suggest that comprehensive road safety strategies must address multiple interconnected factors beyond vehicle condition.