Passengers’ Variables as Predictors of Risky Driving Behaviour of Intercity Commercial Bus Driver in Osun State

Abstract

The study examined the influence of passengers’ attitude, age, and gender on the risky driving behaviour of intercity commercial bus drivers in Osun state. This was with a view to assessing the roles played by the passengers in the overall service delivery of commercial bus drivers. Primary data were used in the study. It involved systematic observation and the use of questionnaire. Participatory observation was conducted, and questionnaire administered on passengers of commercial buses travelling in and out of Ile-Ife, Ilesa, and Osogbo. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. A total of 283 passengers were used for the study. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the attitude of passengers have no significant influence on the driving behaviour of intercity commercial bus drivers. However, gender had a significant influence on the risky driving behaviour of intercity commercial bus drivers [F(1,282)=5.27,P<0.05].that is, female passengers have more influence on the driving behaviour of inter-city commercial bus drivers than male passengers. The study also revealed that more women (58.3%) use public transportation in Osun state than men (41.7%). It was found that more passengers in Osun state have high risk perception (80.6%). This indicates that the level of apprehension was high among intercity commercial bus passengers in Osun state. The study concluded that road users needed to be better enlightened on road use and safety in Nigeria.

Key words: Risky driving behaviours, passengers’ variables, drivers, highways, attitudes, gender, age