Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Road traffic accidents, near-misses and their associated factors among commercial tricycle drivers in a Nigerian city

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Road traffic crashes and near-miss accidents among respondents
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Submitted   Jun 14, 2019
Published   Jun 25, 2019
Issue    Vol 1 No 1 (2020)
DOI   10.25082/HE.2019.01.001

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Ahmed Dahiru Balami corresponding author
Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Garba Sambo
Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Tricycles form an important part of the intra-city transport system, following the ban placed on motorcycles in Maiduguri, Nigeria.  However, no previous studies have been conducted to assess the occurrence of accidents among them. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of road accidents, near-misses, and their associated factors among commercial tricycle drivers in Maiduguri. A cross-sectional study was conducted among registered commercial tricycle drivers in Maiduguri who had been in the business for at least a year. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, using a structured questionnaire, and was subjected to bivariate and multivariate analysis using SPSS. The prevalence of road accidents and near misses were 46% and 50.3% respectively. Only six (3.9%) of respondents who had experienced a near-miss mentioned that they occurred while they were fully awake; during clear weather; and on a smooth, broad, and non-congested road. All the others had experienced the near miss under an unfavourable weather, road, and/or while feeling sleepy. In the bivariate analysis, only psycho-active substance use (χ2=3.941; df=1; p=0.047) and having experienced more than one near miss (χ2=31.807; df=1; p<0.001) were significantly associated with having an accidents. However, in the multivariate analysis, having experienced more than one near miss was the only factor which significantly predicted having an accident (OR=2.89 95% CI: 1.64-5.09; p<0.001). There is a need to conduct further intervention studies to determine the effectiveness of intervention measures in reducing accident rates among these tricycle drivers.

Keywords
road accident, near-miss, tricycle, vehicular factors, driver factors

Article Details

How to Cite
Dahiru Balami, A., & Sambo, G. (2019). Road traffic accidents, near-misses and their associated factors among commercial tricycle drivers in a Nigerian city. Health and Environment, 1(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25082/HE.2019.01.001
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