An Empirical Inquiry into Maintenance Work of Auto-Mechanics and its Relative Bearing on Road Traffic Accidents - A Developing Country Case, Ghana

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are challenges the world is battling in recent times. Majority of increasing road fatalities occurs in developing countries. This study seeks to address part of the issues leading to mechanical failures and road traffic accidents in the developing countries with Ghana as a case study. The study model was validated with the use of a sample collected from 880 mechanics from six regions. The mechanics completed questionnaire measures of perception on used parts, brand new parts, mechanical failure, road accidents and demographic variables. In addition, observation and survey method were also used to collect the data on work quality. The result shows that mechanical failure and road traffic accident correlated positively with used parts and negatively correlated with brand new parts. The study model explained R2 = 0.46 and 0.65 of the variance in mechanical failure and road traffic accident respectively. The independent predictors of mechanical failure were age, gender, experience, perception about used parts and work quality. The predictors of road traffic accident were experience, mechanical failure, perception about brand new parts and work quality. We conclude that the mechanical failure and road traffic accidents could be attributed to non-use of genuine parts, poor work quality standard and poor supervision during and after repairs. Remedial measures addressing these issues could reduce road traffic accident in Ghana.