ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF DRIVING SCHOOLS IN SUNYANI MUNICIPALITY IN THE BRONG AHAFO REGION.

ABSTRACT The main purpose of the study was to assess the performance of driving schools in Sunyani Municipality in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study adopted the case study design. The researcher used both primary and secondary data sources, which were considered to be more appropriate for this study. The researcher used quantitative research approach for the study. The targeted population for the study was 381. The population of the study was made up of drivers, driving school students, tutors and residents of the Sunyani municipality. A sample size of one hundred and ninety one (191) was chosen for the study using purposive and random sampling methods. The main instrument that was used to collect information for the study was questionnaire. Primary data was collected through a field survey of student drivers from the Sunyani Municipality. The data was edited to detect and correct, possible errors and omissions that were likely to occur, to ensure consistency across respondents. The questionnaire data was then coded to enable the respondents to be grouped into limited number of categories. The SPSS version 16 was used to analyse the data. The data was presented in tabular form, graphical and narrative forms. The study findings concluded that publicity and education were essential requirements that raised community awareness and improved the effectiveness of enforcement operations. Also, road safety is an integral component of driver training. Moreover, public education played a big part in educating drivers on safety and getting them to obey traffic laws. Furthermore, driver education reduced alcohol impaired driving by altering social norms, changing risky or dangerous behaviours and created safer environments. Also, effective driver education created the awareness of the general public that accident free driving is the basis for good road traffic safety. The study recommended that students of the driving schools should be taught to obey traffic laws and desist from alcohol, drugs, overloading, over speeding, making calls while driving and change risky or dangerous behaviours and create safer environments.