A study on the determinants of Ethiopian minibus taxi drivers’ speeding behaviour: An application of the ‘major theorists’ model

Abstract

Speeding is the most common road safety problem that results in many traffic accidents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Minibus taxis substantially contribute to speed-related road traffic crashes in Addis Ababa. This study aimed to investigate minibus taxi drivers’ speeding behaviour using the ‘major theorists’ model, an integrated framework drawn from five dominant motivational models. Participants were 218 Ethiopian male minibus taxi drivers in Addis Ababa. The study followed a three-step sequential procedures: 1. Development of a new instrument addressing the assumptions of the ‘major theorists’ model, and validation using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). 2. Exploration of associations between variables in the ‘major theorist’ model using a Pearson’s correlation analysis. 3. Identification of statistically significant predictors of self-reported speeding via linear multiple regression analyses. It was found that self-efficacy to drive fast, weak speed enforcement, social pressure from relatives to drive fast, and behavioural intention to drive fast were significant predictors of self-reported speeding behaviour. These findings can be applied in awareness rising interventions for taxi driver to improve their speed limit compliance.