TRAFFIC CONTROL AND MOTORIST ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS IN SAN

FRANCISCO AGUSAN DEL SUR

An Undergraduate Thesis Proposal

Presented to

The Faculty of the College of Criminology Department

Southway College of Technology

San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur

In partial Fulfillment

Of the requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Criminology

Apas, Vincent Roy E.

Baradillo, Danilo L. Jr.

Gille, Ryan, H.

Jatayna, Jespher S.

Narisma Jonathan L.
 CHAPTER I

INTODUCTION

Rationale

Road safety issues are one of the major economic, social and health problems,

especially in the developing country like Philippines. According to the WHO report, an

estimated of 1.25 million people are killed in road crashes and up to 50 million injured

worldwide every year, on average 3,287 deaths a day . RTA are becoming the leading

cause of death among young people aged between 15 and 29 years, and cost

governments approximately 3% of GDP (and up to 5% In low- and middle-income

countries). About 90% of the world's fatalities on the roads occur in low income and

middle-income countries, which have only 54% of the world’s registered vehicles.

It is known that Road traffic accidents are one of the most critical problems for

human life. Despite widespread measures being used to control and minimize this

problem, road traffic accidents are facing a growing trend, day to day. Addressing the

preventable problem of inadequate road safety requires the dedicated action of multiple

ministries, most notably law, planning, transport, education, public information, and

health.

The range of measures to ensure road safety includes improving the built

environment (e.g., safer road design, regulating sidewalks and traffic lights, introducing

safe bicycle lanes), law enforcement and education to increase seatbelt use and helmet

wearing while reducing speeding and drink driving, better vehicle standards, and

improved post-crash response. Road safety measures that provide safer, more
sustainable public transport options are also particularly promising and can support

synergies between health, transport and carbon emission reduction targets.

Road accidents are a human tragedy, which involve high human suffering. They

impose a huge socio-economic cost in terms of untimely deaths, injuries and loss of

potential income. The ramifications of road accidents can be colossal and its negative

impact is felt not only on individuals, their health and welfare, but also on the economy.

Consequently, road safety has become an issue of national concern.

In addition, problems that contribute to traffic accident are: highly increasing

number of motor vehicle, lack of traffic road signs, over speed, using phone cell while

driving, lack of awareness among road users on traffic safety rules and insufficient law

enforcements. That is why, the researchers tend to assess traffic control and motorist

road safety awareness in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Research Objectives

This study aims to assess traffic control and motorist road safety awareness in

the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Specifically, it ought to answer the following questions:

1. To what extent does the level of traffic control in in the Municipality of San

Francisco, Agusan del Sur terms of:

a. Crash Rate;

b. Crash frequency;

c. Crash Severity and;

 d. Road Characteristics?

2. To what extent does the level of motorist road safety awareness terms of:

a. Safe Vehicles;

b. Safe Drivers and

c. Safety Roads?

3. Is there a significant difference between the level of traffic control and motorist

road safety awareness in the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

when grouped according to their variables?

Statement of Hypothesis

The following are the alternative hypothesis of the study derived from the

foregoing problems which tested at 0.05 level of significance:

HO1. There is no significant difference between the level of traffic control and

motorist road safety awareness in the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del

Sur when grouped according to their variables.

Review of Related Literature

This section presented literature that provides the added information that relevant

to the study of traffic control and motorist road safety awareness in the Municipality of

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. The independent variable which is the traffic control

has the following indicators: Crash Rate, Crash frequency, Crash Severity and Road

Characteristics (Syyed Adnan Raheel Shah, Nave Ahmed,Muhammad Aamir Bashir.

2018).

On the other hand, the dependent variable is the Road Safety Awareness with

the following indicators; Safe Vehicle, Safe Drivers, Safe Roads (European Authomobile

Manufacturers Association 2019).

Traffic Control

The traffic signal impacts virtually everyone every day. Even on uncongested

routes, stops at traffic signals punctuate an urban or suburban area trip. School children

obediently wait for a traffic signal to interrupt traffic so they can cross a busy

thoroughfare. Drivers confidently place their own and their passengers' physical safety

in a signal's allocation of right-of-way. People accept and in some cases demand traffic

signals to assure safety and mobility. Drivers usually assume that the responsible

agency can efficiently operate signals, so motorists usually report only the most obvious

failures. Inefficient operation annoys some motorists but produces no strong public

reaction. However, inefficiencies silently steal dollars from the public in increased fuel

cost and longer trip times. Users normally perceive signals as working if they turn red
and green; if they operate sub optimally, this becomes a concern, not a crisis ( “National

ITS Program Plan: A Ten-Year Vision”, ITS America, Washington, D.C.,January 2002).

It is known that road traffic accidents are one of the most critical problems for

human life. Despite widespread measures being used to control and minimize this

problem, road traffic accidents are facing a growing trend, day to day. Addressing the

preventable problem of inadequate road safety requires the dedicated action of multiple

ministries, most notably law, planning, transport, education, public information, and

health.

The range of measures to ensure road safety includes improving the built

environment (e.g., safer road design, regulating sidewalks and traffic lights, introducing

safe bicycle lanes), law enforcement and education to increase seatbelt use and helmet

wearing while reducing speeding and drink driving, better vehicle standards, and

improved post-crash response. Road safety measures that provide safer, more

sustainable public transport options are also particularly promising and can support

synergies between health, transport and carbon emission reduction targets

(Assessment Of Road Traffic Crash Data Collection And Management System Of

Ethiopia. Redi, Kedir. Addis Ababa : S.N., 2015).

The Current Road Traffic Safety Problems and Its Characteristics in San

Francisco, Agusan del Sur

Road traffic safety refers to methods and measures for reducing the risk of a

person using the road network being killed or seriously injured. Public agencies work to

ensure that people arrive at their destination without incident. Road safety can be
characterized by the ability of a person to travel freely without injury or death. A

perfectly safe transportation system would not experience crashes between various

road users. Though absence of all crashes is an optimal condition, and many

transportation agencies have a goal of zero deaths on the road, the reality is that people

continue to get injured or killed on streets and highways across the nation (Transport,

Ministry Of. National Road Safety Strategy. South Africa: Ministry of Transport, 2016).

According to (Samson Gebremedin. 2018), road traffic safety aims at reducing

the harm (deaths, injuries, and property damage) on the highway systems from traffic

collisions. It includes the design, construction and regulation of the roads, the vehicles

that use them and also the training of drivers and other road-users. For the fulfillments

of road traffic safety objectives, the responsible bodies develop, establish and

implement systems.

The indicator of traffic safety and control problems is crash rate, crash frequency,

crash severity and road characteristics wherein:

Crash frequency is the fundamental basis for safety analysis, selection of sites

for treatment and evaluation of the effects of treatments and it is also used as a

fundamental indicator of “safety” in the evaluation and estimation methods and is

defined as the number of crashes occurring at a particular site, facility or network in a

one-year period ( World Health Organization (WHO) Road Safety Status Report of

2015).

Crash severity is often divided into categories according to the KABCO scale,

which provides five levels of injury severity,the five KABCO crash severity levels are: K -
Fatal injury: an injury that results in death; A - Incapacitating injury: any injury, other

than a fatal injury, which prevents the injured person from walking, driving or normally

continuing the activities the person was capable of performing before the injury

occurred; B – Non-incapacitating evident injury: any injury, other than a fatal injury or an

incapacitating injury, which is evident to observers at the scene of the accident in which

the injury occurred; C - Possible injury: any injury reported or claimed which is not a

fatal injury, incapacitating injury or non-incapacitating evident injury and includes claim

of injuries not evident; O – No Injury/Property Damage Only ( World Health Organization

(WHO) Road Safety Status Report of 2015).

Road characteristics is referred to as road inventory data. The most basic road

characteristics data typically includes road name or route number, road classification,

location coordinates, number of lanes, lane width, shoulder width, and median type

(World Health Organization (WHO) Road Safety Status Report of 2015).

Crash rates describe the number of crashes in a given period as compared to

the traffic volume (or exposure) to crashes. Crash rates are calculated by dividing the

total number of crashes at a given roadway section or intersection over a specified time

period (typically three to five years) by a measure of exposure. While traffic volume is

the most typically used measure of exposure, others such as population, lane or

roadway miles, and licensed drivers within a community also can be used. The locations

are then ranked from high to low by crash rate. Crash rate screening is able to identify

low volume, high crash risk locations that do not necessarily experience a high total

number of crashes (World Health Organization (WHO) Road Safety Status Report of

2015).
 Motorist Road Safety Awareness

Traffic safety is a multi-sectorial and a public health issue. All sectors need to be

fully engaged in the responsibility. Activity and advocacy for road crash and injury

prevention and providing effective trauma care services are the main concern of the

community health nurse ((Chakrabarty et al, 2013, Mehar and Agarwal, 2013).

The awareness of members of the general public of basic first aid principles

makes a significant impact on the safety issue (10,17). First aid knowledge constitutes

life-saving interventions for accidents. It is important for every individual as well as more

important for drivers as they are more prone to involve or witness road traffic accidents

than others.

In many countries, few victims receive treatment at the site of accident and fewer

still can hope to be transported to hospital by ambulance since these simple actions will

save their life . That’s why educational and training approaches in road safety for the

key road users’ groups such as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are valuable as the

criterion measures to improve traffic safety ((Mehar and Agarwal, 2013, Mikušová and

Hrkút, 2014, Bello and Sunday, 2012).

Safe Vehicles

Recent advances in vehicle safety have substantially reduced the number of

accidents and related injuries over the last few decades. When looking at vehicle

design, the measures to improve road safety can be classified into two categories:
active safety and passive safety (European Automobile Manufacturers Association,

2019).

Safe Roads

Unclear traffic signs and poor lane markings affect safety. Improvements in the

design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure can thus significantly improve

road safety. Roads designed to minimize bottlenecks and to ensure better traffic flow,

as well as reducing roadside hazards, can have a major impact on safety.

Cleverly-designed infrastructure that encourages sensible, attentive driving will

also reduce accidents. Replacing traffic signals with well-designed roundabouts has

shown to significantly improve the safety of road junctions. For instance, urban planning

must also take road safety considerations into account. The quality of roads is another

vital element of road safety. Road surfaces of poor quality, or that are deteriorating, can

damage vehicles and put road users at risk. The type of road also plays an important

role safety (European Automobile Manufacturers Association, 2019).

Safe Road Users

Road users include both drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists (‘vulnerable

road users’). Their behavior is the area with by far the biggest potential for improving

road safety. Indeed, 90% of all road accidents today are linked to human error. In 30%

of fatal accidents speeding is the main factor, while distraction causes 10-30% of road

deaths. Equally worrying is the fact that 25% of all road fatalities are alcohol-related. It is
vital that drivers are aware of their own limitations, the dangers of speeding or texting

behind the steering wheel and of the influence of alcohol or drugs on their ability to

control a vehicle. Education and training are key factors in instilling appropriate behavior

and attitudes in road users. The enforcement of existing traffic laws is also crucial, as

about 65% of fatal accidents are caused by violations of traffic rules (European

Automobile Manufacturers Association, 2019).

Theoretical Framework

This study traffic control and motorist road safety awareness was based on the

theory on Fear Appeal Theory: Drive Model which was is proposed by Hovland, Janis

and Kelly in 1953, focus on delivering persuasive message to create fear among

audience in order to persuade them from committing any unwanted or undesired

outcome (Shen & Dillard, 2014).

This theory specifies that when the element fear is aroused, a person will try to

avoid himself/herself from committing such behavior. Nevertheless, if the element of

fear is been delivered too much, the person will start to act defensively toward the

message and denial the danger. Thus, the right propensity of fear element in delivering

message is required in order to obtain the maximum outcome (Carey, McDermott, &

Sarma, 2013; Shen & Dillard, 2014). This theory is applicable in explaining the

proposed research framework through the implementation of soft enforcement approach

(i.e. road safety campaign, education and training) executed by the Malaysian

government. This theory will help to create fear among the drivers through the
persuasive and emotional road safety messages. Persuaded drivers will avoid

themselves from committing dangerous driving and abide with traffic regulations.

In addition, we also adapt the Reinforcement Theory proposed by Skinner in

1938 explaining on the development of behavior through the influenced of its

consequences (Wei & Yazdanifard, 2014). Individual behavior can be changed using

the element of reinforcement, punishment and extinction.

Firstly, reinforcement can be either positive reinforcement or negative

reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a positive outcome (i.e. reward, benefit) given

to the individual when he/she able to achieve the desired/targeted behavior, whereas

negative reinforcement is the negative outcome (i.e. unfavorable task) imposed to the

individual in order to increase the probability toward performing the desired/targeted

behavior.

Secondly, punishment is any negative consequences such as cut off salary

imposed to the individual to avoid the unfavorable behavior. Finally, extinction is a

situation where positive reinforcement is given to the individual in order to encourage

them to perform the desired behavior and stop the undesired behavior

The Reinforcement Theory is applicable in promoting safe driving. Positive

reinforcement of claim-free driving reward has been offered by the insurance company

when drivers did not involve in any road accident, whereas, the concept of negative

reinforcement can be applied through the element of fear toward financial lost, physical

injury and probability of losing job due as the outcome of accident involvement. Next,

the elements of punishment such as traffic ticket/summon and penalty is imposed to

drivers when they broke the traffic rule and regulations. Finally, to extinguish drivers

from drive dangerously, all the elements under the Reinforcement Theory need to be

executed by the. Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework as shown in figure 1 presents the interplay of the

variables. The independent variable, level of traffic control and its indicators: Crash

Frequency means the fundamental basis for safety analysis, selection of sites for

treatment and evaluation of the effects of treatments and it is also used as a

fundamental indicator of “safety”. Crash severity defined as the level of injury or

property damage due to a crash. Road characteristics referred to as road inventory

data. The most basic road characteristics data typically includes road name or route

number, road classification, location coordinates, number of lanes, lane width, shoulder

width, and median type. Crash Rates refers to the number of crashes in a given period

as compared to the traffic volume (or exposure) to crashes.

On the other hand, the dependent variable level of Motorists Road Safety and its

indicators: Safe Vehicles refers to the safeness of any type of vehicle which includes

airbags, seatbelts and deformation zone. Safe roads refer refers to the methods and

measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Safe road

users refer to both drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists or the so-called vulnerable

road users.
 Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Level of Motorist Road Safety

Level of Traffic Control

 Crash Frequency  Safe Vehicles

 Crash Severity  Safe Roads

 Road Characteristics  Safe Road Users

Conceptual Framework
 Crash Rates

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework Showing the Variables of the Study

Significance of the study

This study is beneficial to the following:

Land Transportation Office. This will serve as their basis on what should be

done additionally to the motorists when they broke the traffic rule and regulations.
 Motorists. This will serve as their basis to know the reason why such penalties

are given to them and to become aware furthermore the safeness as they drive along

the way.

Researchers. Other researchers who wish to undertake a similar study may find

this particularly study as a good source of information.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally for the convenience of this study.

Traffic Control. This refers to the organization, arrangement, guidance and control of

both stationary and moving traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists and all types of

vehicles. Its aim is to provide for the safe, orderly and efficient movement of persons

and goods, and to protect and, where possible, enhance the quality of the local

environment on and adjacent to traffic facilities.

Motorist Road Safety. Refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road

users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians,

cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers, horse riders, and passengers of on-road public

transport
 CHAPTER 2

METHOD

This chapter describes the study’s research design, research locale,

population and sample research instrument, data collection, statistical tools, and ethical

considerations.

Research Design

This study employed a non-experimental descriptive correlation design that

utilized the descriptive correlation technique of research. Descriptive-correlation

research design was used to explain the subject phenomenon and to articulate what

variables, conditions and attributes were present (Johnson, 2001). Moreover, this kind

of research is concerned with how what is or what exists is related to some preceding

event that has influence or affected a present condition or event (Kothari, 2004).

Specifically, this study was utilizing a correlational research approach since the study
seeks to assess the relationship between Traffic Control and Motorist Road Safety

Awareness.

Research Locale

This study will be conducted in the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del

Sur. As seen in Figure 2, the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur is a 1st

class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015

census, it has a population of 74,542 people. 

 Figure 2. Geographical Location of the Study

Population and Sample

There were five (5) barangays in the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del

Sur namely: Barangay 1, Barangay 2, Barangay 3, Barangay 4, Barangay 5. The

representation of the five barangays were made possible using stratified random

sampling, which was taken in consideration the number of residents in each barangays.

In selecting the respondents, participants shall be a bonafide residents for at

least 6 months up to 1 year during the conduct of the data collection and shall be at the

age of 25-45 years of age and has driver’s license ( Prof and Non- Prof) that is not

already expired since this level has a mature level of assessment of their learning other

than these criteria, no respondents shall be included if they are not a resident in the said

municipality and has no driver’s license ( Prof and Non- Prof). Other neighboring areas
in within all the Municipalities in Province of Agusan del Sur are also not included. Any

respondent can withdraw participation at any time without penalty in their part.

Research Instrument

The primary tool of this study is the survey questionnaire that is composed of 3

parts. Part 1 deals with the information on the profile of the Motorists Part II deals with

the level of Traffic Control which focused on Cash Frequency, Crash Severity, Road

Characteristics and Crash Rates. Part III deals with the level of Motorists Road Safety

Awareness which focused also on Safe Vehicles, Safe Roads and Safe Road Users.

Data Gathering Procedure

This study is considering these steps:

Phase 1. Revision and validation of the adapted research instruments. The

researchers will adapt and revise the survey questionnaire of Calang (2014), Noveras

(2014) and Vales (2014). The researchers will also consult an expert for comments and

suggestions for the validation of content.

Phase 2. Writing of the Letter of Permission to the Land Transportation Office

Head , and to the Respondents of the study. The researchers will ask the permission

and approval of the Dean of the Criminology Department and the respondents to allow

the researchers to conduct the study of the Motorists within the five (5) barangays of

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

 Phase 3. Conducting of the instrument to the respondents. The researchers will

administer the questionnaires to the respondents simultaneously.

Phase 4. Retrieving of instruments. The questionnaire will be collected by the

researchers.

Phase 5. Statistical treatment of data. After the making of questionnaires,

conducting of test, collecting of data, transcribing, tabulating and summarizing, the data

will be treated statistically.

Data Analysis

The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 will be utilized in

order to have an assurance for valid and reliable interpretation of the result undertaken

by the respondents of the study. To determine the profile of the implementers in terms

of age, sex, and section frequency and percentage tabulation was used.

To assess the level of traffic control in the Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan

del Sur, the scores were interpreted as follows:

Table 1

Level of Traffic Control

Scores Description Interpretation

4.51 - 5.00 Strongly Agree This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
Traffic Control is always agree.
 3.51 – 4.50 Agree This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
level of Traffic Control is oftentimes agree.
2.51 – 3.50 Neither Agree nor This indicates that the item pertaining to level of
Traffic Control is sometimes agree.
Disagree
1.51 – 2.50 Disagree This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
level of Traffic Control is seldom agree.
0.00 – 1.50 Strongly Disagree This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
Traffic Control is never agree.

To assess the level of Motorists Road Safety Awareness in the Municipality of

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, the scores were interpreted as follows:

Table 2

Level of Motorists Road Safety Awareness in the Municipality of San Francisco,

Agusan del Sur

Scores Description Interpretation

4.51 - 5.00 Always observed This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
alcohol addiction effects is always observed.
3.51 – 4.50 Often observe This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
Motorists Road Safety Awareness is oftentimes
observed.
2.51 – 3.50 Sometimes This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
Motorists Road Safety Awareness sometimes
observed observed.
1.51 – 2.50 Rarely Observed This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
Motorists Road Safety Awareness observed.
0.00 – 1.50 Never Observed This indicates that the item pertaining to the level of
 Motorists Road Safety Awareness is never observed.

Statistical Tool

The following are the statistical tools to be utilized in processing the gathered

data:

Mean. This will be used to determine the level of peer pressure effects learner’s

and the level of alcohol addiction of the third-year criminology students.

Pearson Rho. This will be applied to determine the significant difference of the

relationship between the level of peer pressure effects learner’s and the level of alcohol

addiction of the third-year criminology students.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers shall observe full ethical standards in the conduct of the study

following the study protocol assessments and standardized criteria especially those set

by the Southway College of Technology Ethics Review Committee Standards in

managing the population and data such as, but not limited to:

Voluntary Participation. Wherein respondent third-year criminology students have free

will to participate without any form of consequence or penalty were ensured to be fully

followed. In consideration of the purpose and the benefits of the study will be presented

to them, the rights of the respondents to contribute to the study will be carefully

discussed to be considered and adhered upon.

Privacy and Confidentiality. In compliance of Data Privacy Act of 2012, respondents’

personal and/or professional information that may be required in the study will be kept in

private and outmost confidentiality.

Informed Consent Process. Informed consent form will be appended in the survey

questionnaire, and the same will be ensured to be free from any technical terms so that

students can easily understand the survey questionnaire during reading and response.

Recruitment. The recruitment of the participants is based on inclusion criteria where

the student is fit with the standards set by the researcher as indicated in the study’s

Chapter 2. Formal letter addressed to authorized persons (e.g. school director, Dean of

College) will be drafted to seek permission in gathering data within the schools. No data

will be collected online or through online platforms to have a personalized response on

students’ inquiries.

Risks. The study is a low-risk type of study, and guarantees that high risk situations that

could be experienced in the area of physical, psychological, or socio-economic

concerns is not available or observed. Risk shall only be limited to discomfort in

answering the survey questionnaires.

Benefits. While the study does not guarantee direct benefit to the respondents

themselves, the study will provide a clear view of indirect benefits in terms of academic

policy enhancements the students and their respective schools may generate after

study is conducted.

Plagiarism. The study will not use any citations, statements or activities and

representations that can cause direct, indirect or self-plagiarism. With the use of
Grammarly and Turnitin, consistency of grammar and minimization of similarity index

will be ensured, giving the researcher the leeway in using his own words to express the

idea anchored from the authors of different studies.

Fabrication. More so, the study is anchored from different studies which are accurate

and reliable. The study likewise ensures that the researcher does not make any tale

from his literature and thus, stating the idea of the authors out from his own idea and

understanding.

Falsification. In the same way, the study will not exaggerate the data and/or commit

over claiming the works of others just to make the work fit. Models and theoretical

framework used shall come from accurate and reliable sources. In the study,

falsification will not be observed.

Conflict of Interest. This study does not also possess any evidence resulting and

arising from conflict of interest. The study shall never be influenced any secondary

interest, as it only focuses on the primary interest which such as the participant’s

welfare and validity of research trends. It also gave provision that can be found in the

informed consent form, reminding that confidentiality of the information of the

participants will be securely kept and maintained.

Deceit. Furthermore, the study shall ensure the participants that data provided will not

lead them from any impending harm, without any tricks or any dishonesty. The study will

not conduct observation to people in the public place or quasi-public place, as survey

method will be used under the quantitative research design.

Authorship. Finally, a provision of clear and proper authorship such as authorship

qualifications, authorship credit or based only on substantial contributions to conception

and design or acquisition of data or analysis and interpretation of data will be ensured in

the study. Drafting the article and revising it correctly for important intellectual content

and final approval of the version to be published will be pursued by the researcher.