Prevalence and Factors Associated with Road Traffic Crash among Taxi Drivers in Mekelle Town, Northern Ethiopia, 2014: A Cross Sectional Study

Asefa, Nigus Gebremedhin; Ingale, Lalit; Shumey, Ashenafi; Yang, Hannah · 2015 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118675

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Summary

This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence of road traffic crashes (RTCs) and associated risk factors among taxi drivers in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia. Motivated by the disproportionate burden of RTCs in low- and middle-income countries and a lack of specific data on taxi drivers in Ethiopia, the research aims to identify modifiable risk factors to inform prevention policies. The study focuses on 4-wheeled minibus and 3-wheeled Bajaj taxi drivers, who constitute a significant portion of public transportation in the region. The researchers employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing systematic random sampling to select participants from a registry of 728 minibus and 3,455 Bajaj taxis. Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires from 712 drivers (93.6% response rate). The primary outcome was self-reported involvement in an RTC within the three years preceding the survey. Statistical analysis involved bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for various driver and vehicle characteristics, with statistical significance set at P<0.05. The study found that 26.4% (n=188) of the drivers had been involved in an RTC in the past three years. Multivariate analysis identified six independent predictors of crash involvement. Driving a taxi with mechanical problems showed the strongest association (AOR = 4.91; 95% CI: 2.81–8.61), followed by speedy driving (AOR = 4.76; 95% CI: 3.05–7.44) and a history of prior traffic punishments (AOR = 4.58; 95% CI: 2.67–7.85). Receiving mobile phone calls while driving (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.24–2.92) and a history of alcohol use (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.00–2.28) were also significantly associated with higher crash odds. Conversely, listening to mass media was a protective factor, associated with a decreased likelihood of RTC involvement (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.33–0.78). The findings indicate that taxi drivers in Mekelle frequently engage in risky behaviors, including speeding, mobile phone use, and driving poorly maintained vehicles, despite existing regulations. The high prevalence of prior traffic punishments suggests habitual law violation. The authors conclude that current legal frameworks require re-evaluation regarding the type, severity, and enforcement of penalties. They recommend increased policing, better vehicle maintenance standards, and targeted mass media campaigns to promote safe driving practices. The study highlights the need for context-specific interventions addressing both behavioral and mechanical risk factors to reduce RTC burden in Ethiopia.

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Topics

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• incidence prevalence
• sex gender
• demographic disparities
• pre crash contributing factors

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence, crash risk outcomes