Understanding road traffic risks from the street hawker’s perspective

Sam, Enoch F.; Akansor, Justina; Agyemang, William · 2018 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2018.1482925

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Summary

This study investigates the road traffic risks faced by street hawkers in Ghana, a population largely overlooked in existing road safety research. While street hawking is widespread in urban Africa and known to be hazardous, previous studies in Ghana have focused on socioeconomic or health implications rather than traffic safety. The authors address this gap by exploring hawkers’ lived experiences and perceptions of risk, aiming to provide evidence for safety interventions. The research is motivated by high pedestrian casualty rates in Ghana and the lack of disaggregated data on hawker-specific accidents. The researchers employed a phenomenological case study design, utilizing qualitative methods to capture the complexities of hawker behavior and perception. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 street hawkers and naturalistic field observations at three high-risk locations along the Winneba-Kasoa highway: Kasoa, Ngleshie Amanfrom, and Winneba. A stratified purposeful sampling scheme ensured a balance of gender (18 females, 6 males) and age (14–48 years). Interviews and observations were conducted during peak (morning and evening rush hours) and off-peak periods to assess behaviors such as road crossing and car-following. Data analysis followed a thematic strategy using Atlas.ti software, with validity established through triangulation of interviews, observations, and field notes. The findings reveal that traffic incidents among hawkers are primarily self-induced, resulting from negligence, indiscriminate road crossing, and car-following behaviors driven by competitive selling pressures. Of the 24 participants, 10 reported personal traffic accidents, with 8 being female and 7 having less than two years of hawking experience. The study identified a perceived relationship between socio-demographic factors—specifically gender, education level, and tenure in the trade—and accident involvement. Younger hawkers and those with lower educational attainment appeared more vulnerable, while experienced hawkers claimed greater ability to navigate risks. Additionally, victims often received minimal compensation or attention from offenders, highlighting a lack of accountability. Survival strategies included heightened caution and peer sensitization regarding danger signals. The study concludes that street hawking involves significant, often self-inflicted, traffic risks that are mediated by age, gender, and experience. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, such as education on road safety rules and legal frameworks to moderate hawking activities where eradication is not feasible. By highlighting the specific behaviors and vulnerabilities of this group, the research provides a foundation for future scientific inquiry and policy development to reduce road traffic injuries among street hawkers in Ghana and similar contexts.

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence