Factors Associated with Accidents Involving Commercial Motorcyclists in Migori Town, Kenya

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume II, Issue VI, June 2018 | ISSN 2454-6186

Factors Associated with Accidents Involving Commercial Motorcyclists in Migori Town, Kenya

James Ochieng Owino

Rongo University, Rongo, Kenya

Abstract:-Transport services offered by commercial motorcyclists present a number of advantages to users. The advantages range from affordability to flexibility. However, commercial motorcyclists have continued to operate in fear of their lives. This is due to increasing number of cases of road accidents involving them and other road users. This study uses a descriptive survey research design targeting commercial motorcyclists registered with Migori town Motorists Sacco limited. One hundred and ninety fiveriders were randomly sampled while five key informants were purposively identified.Pretested structured questionnaires were administered to sampled riders to collect quantitative data and in- depth interviews to gather qualitative data. The likelihood of a rider with a riding license, not being involved in accident was 7.2 times higher than those who do not possess riding license. The likelihood of respondents in age group 31 to 42 years not being involved in accident was 7.5 times higher than those who are aged over 54 years. Rider in age group 43 to 54 years were 5.6 times likely not to be involved in accident compared to those aged over 54 years. The study recommends that both existing and potential commercial motorcyclists undergo rider formal training in driving schools as a way of reducing commercial motorcyclists’ accidents involvement.

Keywords: Accidents, commercial motorcyclists, riding license, mode of training

I. INTRODUCTION

The devastating and growing numbers of motorcycle related accidents on our roads presents safety concern to government agencies, motorcyclists, motorcycle passengers and other road users. Road accidents are known to be responsible for a large proportion of orthopedic patients in some hospitals (Ogunjumo, 1990; Gbadamosi, 2006). In U.S.A motorcyclists were 27 times likely to die and almost 5 times likely to be injured in a road accident compared to other road users NHTSA, 2013), but their conducts while riding that leads to road accidents remains unknown.

In Kenya, a study conducted by World Health Organizations on accident injuries at Kakamega County Referral Hospital revealed that most patients were as a result of motorcycle related accidents (WHO, 2009). A lot has been written on motorcycle related road accidents in Kenya. Much of the reported motorcycle accidents are caused by careless riding by motorcyclists (Obara, 2009).

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