International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: The issue of traffic congestion has becoming a thing of serious concern in modern cities including Owerri metropolis that needs to be addressed. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the influence of Ozisa FM traffic programmes in promoting responsible road use among residents of Owerri metropolis of Imo state. Method: Descriptive survey research design was adopted with a population of 983,000 from which 384 was derived as the sample size using Wimmer and Dominick's online sample size calculator. The multistage and purposive sampling techniques were employed in the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data gathering, and the data was analysed with simple percentages and mean analysis. Results: Findings revealed that at an average of 59.2% the respondents are moderately exposed to Ozisa Radio's FM traffic programme. Results also showed that at an average of 43.9% of the respondents confirmed that the Ozisa radio FM traffic programmes have influenced Owerri Metropolis residents towards curbing traffic congestion to a moderate extent. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that Ozisa FM radio traffic programmes have influenced Owerri metropolis residents to a moderate extent. Unique contribution: This study has been able to extend the literature on the role of radio programme in addressing societal issues, especially issue as it concerns road traffic which is one of the disturbing issues facing urban cities. Key Recommendation: There is a need for improved effort on the part of Ozisa FM, and then there is a need for engaging those in authority through the instrumentality of the media to carry out sensitisation on the need to help curb the issue of traffic congestion in the Owerri metropolis.