A Survey of Taxi Drivers’ Aberrant Driving Behavior in Beijing

Abstract

Taxis are an important component in Beijing's urban integrated transport system. They provide passengers with convenient, comfortable, and efficient service. However, aberrant driving behaviors occur frequently among Beijing taxi drivers, leading to frequent violations and passenger complaints. This study explores Beijing taxi drivers’ aberrant driving behaviors and the factors influencing them. Questionnaires were designed to obtain different views of taxi drivers’ aberrant driving behaviors from taxi drivers, traffic police, and passengers, and to sample problems in the Beijing taxi industry. Responses from 52 professional taxi drivers, 40 traffic police officers, and more than 500 taxi passengers were obtained. The results show that taxi drivers generally under-report their own aberrant driving behaviors, whereas passengers and police appear to have a very negative impression of taxi drivers’ driving behaviors. Environmental influences such as economic pressure, ownership of taxi management, and the nature of the complaint system were found to contribute to taxi drivers’ aberrant driving behaviors. Some suggestions to increase the efficiency and safety of the taxi system in Beijing were proposed, such as improving drivers’ working and economic conditions, developing a better passenger loading system, establishing more effective license and termination policies for drivers, and improving the complaint system.