| dc.description.abstract | Bodaboda taxis form an emerging mode of transport for passengers and light goods. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors contributing to bodaboda taxi related traffic accidents in Kakamega Municipality under the following objectives: levels of training and experience of bodaboda taxi operators; the relationship between the behaviour of bodaboda taxi operators and the bodaboda taxi related accidents; the influence of the state of roads environment on bodaboda taxi related accidents; the extent of safety awareness among bodaboda taxi operators. The aim of the study was to explore possible ways of reducing bodaboda taxi related accidents.
The study employed a survey design in which questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and observations were used for data collection. Stratified sample sizes of 93 bicycle, 73 motorcycle and 13 tuk-tuk taxi operators; and 96 bodaboda taxi passengers in Kakamega Town were used in the study. Computer packages of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Data Analysis with Excel were used to analyze data obtained.
The study established from the results of the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient that there is a relationship between the behaviour of bodaboda taxi operators and the bodaboda taxi related accidents. There is a significant positive correlation between operators' behaviour and bodaboda taxi related accidents; that is, rxx> 0.60 for each behavioral attribute considered: over speeding, tiredness, influence of alcohol or drugs and overloading.
The Chi-square, X2, test at 5 per cent level of significance indicated a significant relationship between the behaviour of cyclist and motorbike taxi operators and occurrence of these taxis related road traffic accidents. Accidents also result from the operators being young and not well equipped to operate the taxis, poor roads infrastructure and a general lack of strict regulation of the bodaboda taxi industry.
This study recommends intensifying control and regulation of the bodaboda taxi industry; strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations; improving collection and storage of accident data information; development of the bodaboda taxi transport support facilities in urban areas and increased investment in the improvement of roads infrastructure and roads environment. The study recommends further research on the kind of training and testing offered in driving instruction schools and on government policy in place on bodabodataxi transport industry. | en_US |
