Road Traffic Signs' Literary and the Implications on Road Users in Calabar.pdf

This study sought to assess the level of literacy in road traffic signs and the implications on road users in Calabar, using the semiotic theory as a conceptual framework. The survey research design was adopted for the study through the administration and retrieval of 140 questionnaires from selected road users to elicit information using the stratified random sampling technique in addition to participant observation. The respondents were selected from motorists, tricyclists and pedestrians who constitute the major segments of the research population. Findings revealed that road traffic signs are vital and critical components of the entire road furniture and were observed to be appropriately placed along major roads and streets in Calabar. They are to provide the needed safety information which road users are expected to adhere to. However, factors such as low literacy in overt instructions transmitted by the signs and ignorance are believed to account for the cases of avoidable road traffic crashes in the city. It is therefore recommended that everyone who uses the road should develop interest in road traffic signs‟ literacy in particular, and road safety best practices in general. Also, the responsible and regulatory agencies should widen their public enlightenment platforms in order to inculcate a safer road use culture among the citizenry and save lives and property required for national development.