ENHANCING DRIVERS’ LITERACY THROUGH THEATRICAL INTERACTION: ROAD SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Road safety research has traditionally focused on the development of laws governing safe road practices, as well as the creation of innovative road safety equipment and guidelines. Theatre has also emerged as a powerful medium for informing, educating, and contributing to national progress. Numerous studies underscore the pivotal role of drivers’ literacy in mitigating road misdemeanours and accidents. This study employs applied theatre theories and road safety management principles to analyse the road safety landscape in Nigeria. The analysis reveals that theatre holds the potential to serve as an effective educational tool. One of theatre's most instructive features is its participatory nature, enabling learners to engage in dynamic, real-world simulations that facilitate comprehension. This shift towards a practice-based approach marks a departure from conventional theory-centric approaches to driver’s literacy. The research introduces innovative methods that leverage theatre’s inherent informality to impart Road Safety Literacy to Nigerian drivers, with a particular emphasis on commercial drivers who constitute a significant majority and are already inclined towards informal driver education. These methods offer distinct ways to enhance the efficacy of drivers' literacy. A key recommendation arising from this study is the collaboration between road safety educators and theatre practitioners, fostering the creation of ‘theatre for the road.’ In the end, the research highlights the inadequacy of imparting road literacy through traditional classroom methods thereby advocating for the adoption of more engaging and participatory approaches like theatre. By employing theatre, essential road safety knowledge can be effectively conveyed in an enjoyable manner, leaving a lasting impact on the audience's consciousness.