Nexus of road geometrics and human factors on traffic accidents on Mzuzu-Jenda M1 road stretch in Malawi

Road traffic accidents remain a significant public safety concern in Malawi, with approximately 20 accidents occurring daily, resulting in an estimated 1,000 fatalities annually. The country's road network is underdeveloped, with only 26% paved and 74% consisting of earth roads. The Mzuzu-Jenda section of the M1 highway serves as a critical transport corridor for imports and exports through Tanzania and neighbouring countries. However, several sections of this road have been identified as accident hotspots, with a history of fatal crashes. This study examines the relationship between road geometric design and human factors contributing to accidents along this stretch. Additionally, it proposes alternative road alignment designs for accident-prone sections. Accident hotspots were identified using ArcGIS software, based on accident reports from the Road Traffic Directorate. Topographic surveys were conducted to extract geometric parameters of these locations using AutoCAD Civil 3D software. Furthermore, driver and passenger interviews were carried out, and vehicle speed was monitored at these high-risk sections. The findings indicate that specific geometric road features contribute to hazardous driving conditions, even when drivers adhere to the recommended speed limit of 50 km/h. Additionally, speed monitoring revealed that drivers frequently exceed this limit, with an average recorded speed of 78 km/h—a 30% increase above the recommended threshold. The combination of excessive speeding and geometric deficiencies significantly increases the likelihood of traffic accidents. The study underscores the need for improved road design interventions to enhance safety on this critical highway corridor.