Assessment of Driver’s Understanding of Traffic Control Devices: The Case of Tuguegarao-Alcala-Aparri Road

Abstract

Effective traffic control plays a crucial role in directing and informing drivers through visual or tactile signs. However, human inaccuracy in reading and comprehending such signals causes the bulk of traffic accidents. In the Philippines, risky errors or decisions made by drivers, such as identification and judgment errors in response to traffic control devices present at the accident location, cause around 94 percent of motor vehicle collisions, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This research assessed the comprehension of drivers regarding traffic control devices along the Tuguegarao-Alcala-Aparri road. Specifically, it focuses on evaluating how well drivers in the study area comprehended seven specific traffic signals, considering factors such as age, gender, years of experience, level of education, training method, and license type. By investigating the relationship between drivers' characteristics and their comprehension of traffic control devices, the objective of this study was attained, such that the majority of respondents were aged 16–25, accounting for 125 individuals, or 31.3%. Additionally, the data indicated that the majority of respondents were male, comprising 353 individuals, or 88.3%. Furthermore, most of the respondents identified as college students, with a frequency of 138, or 34.5%. Regarding driving experience, the majority had less than five years of experience, totaling 128 individuals, or 32%. It was also found that the majority of respondents possessed a professional license, with a frequency of 257, or 64.3%. Lastly, a majority of the respondents reported being self-taught, with a frequency of 184, or 46%. The researchers concluded that the relationship between the profile of the drivers and their understanding of traffic control devices is correlated and is considered to be a significant factor that affects the other variables.
In response to the results of the study, the researchers suggested that the training for drivers must be strictly implemented and should be taken seriously to lessen the risks caused by it. Moreover, utilizing standard traffic control devices and placing them in their respective places can contribute to the resolution and mitigation of issues that contribute to traffic accidents, ultimately benefiting road users and the wider community.