Causes and Effects of Traffic Congestions in Nigeria
Nigera, the most populated country in Africa is faced with series of traffic congestions. This indisputable issue of traffic hold is occasioned by the growing population concentration, rapid urbanization, and increasing commercial and economic activities. High population generates heavy vehicular traffic, leading to vehicular conflict and congestion as well as other mobility related challenges, which adversely affect the ultimate goal of people’s mobility. The country is expected to offer high accessibility and mobility advantages, coupled with the provision of transportation infrastructures which are being threatened by mobility challenges resulting in low productivity and loss of man-hours within Nigeria, thus adversely affecting the overall wellbeing of residents. This research examines the causes of traffic congestion as well as its effects on the citizens of Nigeria through questionnaire administration, based on a physical characteristics survey and the analysis of drivers’ license and number plates recorded across the 36 states of country plus the federal capital territory. Desk study of relevant documents, and interviews were conducted. Inferential and non-inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed a chaotic acquisition of drivers’ license, vehicles number plates and land use pattern, resulting into traffic and transportation blockage, vehicular conflict and avoidable traffic congestion, longer travel time and low productivity among others.
