Factors Influencing Personal Car Ownership Among Households in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing personal car ownership in the Benin metropolis, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional research design, a metropolitan-wide survey data from 630 households collected through questionnaire responses were analysed. The study area was first stratified into three zones (inner, intermediate and outer zones) to facilitate adequate data collection. Thereafter, five communities were randomly selected from each zone for questionnaire administration. Binary logistic regression was used to analyse the hypothesis on the influence of each indicator on personal car ownership. The result revealed that gender, household size, average monthly income and distance to place of work were the leading factors influencing car ownership among households in the study area, and thus presented in their respective order the highest Beta values (1.799, 1.346, 1.210, and 1.101). The study thus, offers support by suggesting policy process for either the strengthening or weakening indicator when the respective desire to encourage or discourage car ownership in planning is a priority. Consequently, the formulation of an appropriate policy that will be useful for strengthening or weakening key parameters is germane for predicting vehicle ownership in the study area.