PRODUCT LIFE CYCLEAN ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AMONG COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN ZARIA

PRODUCT LIFE CYCLEAN ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AMONG COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN ZARIA

Abstract:

This study was carried out to assess emergency communication in road traffic accident among commercial drivers in Zaria with a view to ascertaining the preference given to communication in road traffic accident in the study area. In this regard, the study aimed at finding out the level of awareness of Federal Road Safety Corps‟ (FRSC) emergency communication channels among commercial drivers as well as assessing the functionality of the said emergency channels. It also sought to find out the processes that emergency communication goes through before rescue can take place. The study adopted the media richness theory as well as a contextualization of Harold Lasswell‟s model of communication within the confines of emergency communication. The media richness theory holds that communication channels vary in their capacity to enable users exchange meaning. Therefore communication channels should match the tasks they are used for. Data for the study was collected via a mixed method. First was an in depth interview with the head of operations FRSC, Zaria unit command. Second was a survey of commercial drivers as 400 questionnaires were issued to them using convenience sampling. The findings show that low preference was given to communication. There is a low knowledge of FRSC‟s emergency communication channels among the study population and that knowledge of the numbers does not determine usage of the numbers. It was also discovered that the numbers were functional and that emergency calls undergo at least three stages before a standby team embarks on a rescue. The study recommends that FRSC should take multiple approaches in publicizing their emergency channels and also that the processes that emergency communication undergoes should be shortened so as to make impact.

PRODUCT LIFE CYCLEAN ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AMONG COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN ZARIA