Contribution of Road Design to Road Accidents along Thika Superhighway, Kenya

Abstract

The construction of Thika Superhighway was aimed at addressing road safety by improving transportation and reducing traffic accidents. Despite this effort, the numbers of accidents along this road still continue to occur claiming more lives. The study sought to examine the contribution of road design on road accidents on Thika Superhighway. Accident Cessation Theory and the Reciprocal Determinism Theory were used to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive and exploratory research designs to collect quantitative and qualitative primary data. The study was carried out along Thika superhighway in 2016. The study targeted a population of 249 respondents drawn from traffic police officers, road safety personnel, senior officers from traffic police, officers in the National Transport Safety Authority and Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, drivers and pedestrians. Questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions were used to collect primary data. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic method, while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The analysed data was presented in tables and charts to represent quantitative findings while qualitative findings were presented in narratives, verbatim reporting, discussions and inferences. Results showed that poor road design is a major contributor of traffic road accidents. The study recommends for redesigning of defective road sections and construction of additional footbridges that will ensure safety on the highway. It is hoped that the study findings will benefit all stakeholders and users of roads in an effort to ensure safety on Kenyan roads.