FATIGUE AND DRIVING: A CASE STUDY IN CAPE COAST METROPOLIS
Abstract
Human and goods transportation is a major aspect of life. For instance it facilities movement and helps in the transaction of business. Drivers of these vehicles therefore play a crucial role in the phenomena of... [ view full abstract ]
Human and goods transportation is a major aspect of life. For instance it facilities movement and helps in the transaction of business. Drivers of these vehicles therefore play a crucial role in the phenomena of transportation. Because of the nature of their work, they go through stressful situations especially the commercial drivers whose major concern is to maximize profit and inadvertently experience but ignoring the fatigue that comes with such acts. Generally, fatigue affects task performance: a reduction in alertness, longer reaction times, memory problems, poorer psychometric coordination, and less efficient information processing (Lyznicki, et al (1998). Not surprisingly, these general effects on task performance are mirrored by similar effects when the task concerns driving. Fatigue has specific consequences on driving behaviour this however varies with on how persons react and cope with fatigue (Oron-Gilad, & Shinar, 2000). There is a need to highlight these individual differences on a person’s reaction to fatigue and therefore arrived at a better way of solving the continuous road accidents on Cape Coast roads ,Ghana because fatigue has however been discovered to be a silent factor that causes accidents throughout the world and specifically Ghana. The effect of fatigue on driving in the Cape Coast Metropolis Cape Coast a metropolis is being under studied not only because it is the capital of Ghana’s Central region, but it is strategically located between Accra and Takoradi (an important port city and petroleum producing area). This situation makes for heavy human and vehicular traffic through and within Cape Coast. 50 copies of questionnaires were used randomly to obtain information from drivers and road users in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Inadequate quality sleep, driving for more than 8hours a day was identified by respondents to be one of many factors that causes effects of fatigue and consequently on driving. It was recommended to various stake holders like car owners, the Road Safety Commissioner and the M.T.T.U. should help/ facilitate the education of drivers especially the commercial drivers on the effects of fatigue on driving.
Authors
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Ogunleye-Adetona Comfort Iyabo
(University of Cape Coa)
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Essilfie Felix
(University of Cape Coast, Ghana.)
Topic Area
I. Research Collaborations 1.1 Scientific collaborations in geography and urban health 1.2
Session
EFA-O-11 » Evidence for Action in Policy and Programs (08:00 - Monday, 4th April, TBA)
Paper
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