Assessment Of Business Based Motorcycle Drivers’ Behaviors In Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

There were allegations that, the rampant occurrences of road accidents caused by business based motorcycle drivers, were primarily caused by their poor driving behaviors.

This study, was out to assess the business based motorcycle drivers‟ behaviors that influenced reckless driving. The study had three objectives, namely; to identify factors which made business based motorcycle drivers to drive recklessly, to determine their perceptions towards driving and to investigate on the challenges that they face.The study was based in Dodoma Region and involved bodaboda drivers, owners and passengers. Data were collected by using questionnaire and interviews, and then analysed by using both quantitative and qualitative means. It was revealed that, many factors influenced improper behaviour of drivers, but the most crucial were; most of the drivers had never attended training concerning safe driving and did not possess licenses. In addition, some divers used to work while drunk and thus they disregarded traffic rules. Furthermore, they worked for a long time than the recommended time and were ruthlessly hampered by the mode of payment from their operation. It was however, found out that, not all bodaboda drivers preferred driving faster as contended by many; most of the drivers were eager in observing traffic rules and regulations when driving, and that, they agreed it was important to consider others when driving. It was discovered that unfortunately, most drivers did not like their job and actually were unsatisfied. Finally, the study came up with various challenges that faced business based motorcycles drivers, most notably, inadequate income received, corrupt behaviour of some traffic police, abusive language from bodaboda passengers, and the frequent occurrence of accidents. It was recommended that, the government establishes and implements specific rules and regulations to guide the conduct of bodaboda business as well as to establish special training programme for bodaboda drivers before embarking on the business. Bodaboda drivers were also advised to observe all the traffic rules and regulations when conducting their business. Finally, motorcycle owners were advised to ensure that, they employed qualified drivers and those who had met the set rules and regulations and that, traffic police should frequently check the legitimacy of the bodaboda drivers and safety of their vehicles.