Traffic safety violations in relation to drivers' educational attainment, training and experience in Kumasi, Ghana. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akaateba, Millicent Awialie; Amoh-Gyimah, Richard; Amponsah, Owusu
• Is Part Of: Safety science. Volume 75(2015)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 162
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Road safety -- Traffic violations -- Regulations -- Attitudes -- Age -- Education; Industrial accidents -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Travail -- Accidents -- Périodiques; 363.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2015.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-7535

Abstract

Highlights: Driver education, training and experience are related to traffic safety violations. Using One-Way ANOVA, significant but small associations were found. Increased education was associated with reduced violations on speeding and overtaking. Higher experience and formal training increased frequency of commission of violations. Targeted driver behaviour change campaigns and strict enforcement is proposed. Abstract: This paper investigated the influence of three distinct variables; driver educational attainment, driving experience, and form of driver training on drivers' self-reported attitudes towards the frequency of commission of traffic safety violations in Kumasi, Ghana. A total of 285 participants were sampled from public transport terminals, work places, market places and other social centres within the Kumasi Metropolis using both interviewer-administered and self-administered questionnaires. The results of the study showed that there were small but yet significant associations between driver education, driver training and driving experience on the one hand, and the frequency of violation of traffic safety laws on the other hand. The mean frequency of commission of traffic violations increased with increasing driver experience whilst the frequency of violation of traffic regulations on speeding and overtaking when prohibited decreased with increasing education in Kumasi. Drivers trained from driving schools reported an overall higher mean frequency of commission of traffic violations compared to other drivers interviewed. Plausible explanations and implications of the study's results on traffic safety campaigns in Ghana as well as methodological issues have been discussed. Based on the results of the study, this paper strongly recommends targeted and more tailored traffic safety behaviour change campaigns combined with a strict enforcement of traffic safety regulations in the country.