The social cognitive theory helps in
understanding how individuals respond to efforts
geared towards behaviour change. The theory is a
potent framework for explaining drivers’ compliance to
the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)
communication campaign on installation of speed limit
device (SLD) in Nigeria. By Decree 45 of 1988, the
FRSC has the responsibility for preventing and
minimising accidents on the highways and removing
obstructions on any part of the highways and for
educating drivers, motorists and the public generally on
the proper use of highways. One of the means to
accomplish these is the communication campaign on
SLD. Communication campaign is a wholistically
planned effort with different strategies and use of media
to inform or increase awareness, influence or change the
behaviour of people over issues of public importance.
This paper examined social cognitive theory in drivers’
compliance to FRSC’s SLD communication campaign
in Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were collected from
secondary sources with inferences made at the end. It
was concluded that drivers in Rivers State would
respond to the communication campaign based on their
self-efficacy, goal, and result expectancy, which are
identifiable in the social cognitive framework. It was
recommended that when there is appropriate training
for commercial drivers, the process of licensing should
not be rigorous in order to encourage discipline. More
messages need to reach the commercial drivers on the
importance of safe driving through the SLD should be
communicated to the drivers.
Keywords : Communication Campaign, Road Safety, Social Cognitive Framework, Speed Limit Device.