Factors associated with accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators in Migori town, Kenya

Abstract

Transport services offered by commercial motorcycle operators present a number of advantages to users. The advantages range from affordability to flexibility. Due to shortage of formal employment, many Kenyan youth have ventured into commercial motorcycle taxi business, but the sub sector is facing many challenges key to which is rampant cases of motor accidents. This study explored factors associated with accident involving commercial motorcycle operators in Migori town, Kenya. Specifically, this study sought to: - determine the association between rider formal training and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, determine the effect of rider alcohol use on accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, determine the association between age of rider and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators and, determine the association between rider compliance with traffic laws and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, in the study area. This study employed a descriptive survey design targeting all the commercial motorcycle operators registered with Migori town Motorists Sacco Limited. A simple random sampling technique was used to identify one hundred and ninety five (195) commercial motorcycle operators. In addition, purposive sampling was used to include five (5) key informants in the study. The study was guided with Human Factors Theory. Pretested structured questionnaire was administered to the sampled commercial motorcycle operators to collect quantitative data. Separately, in- depth interviews were conducted to the key informants to gather qualitative data. The quantitative data was coded, sorted and analyzed descriptively using SPSS software. Inferential statistics using Chi – Square and Binary Logistic Regression were used to test associations between independent and dependent variables. A probability value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Qualitative data was classified, summarized and analyzed using content analysis approach. The findings were presented in form of tables and narrative forms. Research findings revealed that rider formal training had significant association with motorcycle accident. The study also found that, rider alcohol use, age of rider and rider compliance with traffic laws did not have significant association with motorcycle accident in Migori town. Based on these findings, the study concluded that rider formal training is important in reducing commercial motorcycle related accidents. The study therefore recommended that potential riders should undergo formal training in driving schools as a way of reducing commercial motorcycle accidents. It is during formal training that other issues such as rider alcohol use during working hours and rider compliance with traffic laws, which are found to be insignificantly associated with motorcycle accident in this study, would be taught.