The Influence of Compliance to Road Traffic Rules on the Incidence of Road Traffic Accidents Among Commercial Motorcyclists:

Abstract

The Study entitled: “the influence of compliance to road-traffic rules on the incidence of road-traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists in Kampala metropolitan District” set out to establish the contribution of compliance to road-traffic rules to the incidence of road-traffic accidents. Specifically the study set out with the following lines of inquiry: What is the level of compliance to the current road traffic rules and regulations by commercial motorcyclists? What is the incidence of road traffic accidents among the commercial motorcyclists? What is the link between the level of compliance to the existing rules and regulations to the incidence of traffic accidents among the commercial motor cyclists? What is the proportion of other determinants of the incidence of road traffic accidents? A descriptive cross-sectional study design among 238 commercial motorcyclists in Kampala metropolitan district was applied. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide to determine the level of compliance, incidence of accidents and capture other determinants of road traffic accidents. Data was analyzed using STATA ver.12.0. Bivariate and multivariate analysis established associations between variables. The key results: The level of compliance to road traffic accidents was found to be very low coupled with poor awareness of rules, signs and possession of traffic requirements. Incidence: the incidence of road traffic accidents was found to be very high among commercial motorcycles. Compliance to road rules was found to have a positive relation to the incidence of accidents at AOR (95%CI) 0.27 (0.07 – 0.99)* and the other major contributors to road traffic accidents in this category were reckless ridding due to urgency or rush (29%) and consumption of alcoholic/substance for the rider or other road user (22%). In accordance with the objectives of the study, it was safe to conclude that: the level of compliancy to rules is low and greatly affected by awareness of rules, signs which is also influenced by how one learnt to ride. The incidence of accidents is high contributed by poor compliance and other factors like alcohol or drug use and reckless ridding. The major recommendations in relation to the findings were; targeted training to improve skills and awareness, proper licensing and enforcement. Further lines of inquiry were outlined in accordance with the objectives emerged as follows: studies to establish standards of measuring compliance to road traffic rules among commercial motorcycles so as to put standard guidelines, trends on the incidence of commercial motorcycles, the contribution of the effects of motorcycle injuries on the economy and the contribution of alcohol and drug abuse on the incidence of accidents in Uganda.