Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 8, No. 2, 2010
Pages 151-163
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/0102.80.0240
Psycho-demographic factors as determinants of perceived accident vulnerability among commercial motorcyclists in two Nigerian cities
Adebayo O.ADEJUMO
Department of Psychology, University of lbadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of psychological and socio-demographic factors on perceived vulnerability to road accidents (VTRA) among commercial motorcyclists. The cross-sectional survey included 292 participants following multi-stage sampling. A 65-item questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis included ANOVA. regression. t-test, and descriptive statistics. Results showed that aged commercial motorcyclists operating in Ibadan with poor knowledge of road signs, who also rarely use psychoactive substances (n=25, =18.0), as well as aged motorcyclists operating in lbadan with poor knowledge of road signs, who rarely use substances (n=21. =18.0) reported the highest level of perception of VTRA. Substance use pattern (F (292) = 51.25. P < 0.01). personality (F (292) = 4. 70. P < 0.001). and a combination of substance use pattern. personality. location. and road signs knowledge (F (292) = 6.94. P <0.01) significantly influenced perceived accident vulnerability among participants. Experience in riding commercial motorcycles (t (292) = 1.299, df =289, p<. 05). and location/city (n=292, t= 1.688, p<. 05) also significantly predicted perception of VTRA (t (292) = 1.299, p<.05). This highlights the importance of substance use, personality factors (openness and agreeableness), and experience as factors critical to the understanding of perception of VTRA, suggesting the need/or strengthening anti-drug campaign. as well as psychological/personality testing in reducing road traffic accidents involving commercial motorcyclists.
Keywords: Psycho-demographic factors, motorcyclists. perception, vulnerability, road traffic accidents