The response of other drivers to mini-bus taxi drivers' on-road aggressive behaviour : a case study in Cape Town, South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Every year, more than 1.24 million traffic related deaths are registered globally with the highest fatality rates in middle- and low income countries. Minibus taxis represent the most dominant mode of public transportation associated with road traffic crashes and injuries in most African countries. From a safety perspective, aggressive driving behaviour is one of the main causes of road traffic crashes. This study examined the nature and the frequency of the most common types of the minibus taxis drivers' on-road aggressive behaviour as well as the corresponding response behaviour of drivers of other vehicles to those behaviours. The research was done through video observations in Cape Town, South Africa. Through questionnaires, this study also explored the effect of driver age and gender of minibus taxi drivers on the on-road aggressive behaviour. The effect of age and gender of drivers frustrated by minibus taxi drivers' aggressive on-road behaviours on levels of anger aroused as well as on the response behaviours reported was investigated from within the framework of a frustration and aggression model of aggressive driving.In a total of 7,266 minibus taxis observed from three different sites, 943 aggressive driving behaviours noted were divided into three categories: traffic obstructions (stopping in the road or outside bus stops), disregarding traffic signs and signals (red light running and violating stop lines), and improper passing behaviours (cutting in too close, overtaking on road shoulder or on yellow lane, crossing solid lines to pass vehicles in the next lane, inappropriate lane utilisation). Observations were coded based on pre-determined evaluation indices. The more frequent response manoeuvres by drivers behind aggressive minibus taxis were swerving to the next lanes, accelerating to refuse gaps for minibus taxis, running behind minibus taxi red light runners, and hooting. The results from the questionnaire survey revealed that driver age and gender affected both the minibus taxi drivers' on-road aggressive behaviours and the response behaviours reported by other drivers. Respondents reported that younger minibus taxi drivers exhibit more on-road aggressive behaviour than old minibus taxi drivers. Male and younger drivers frustrated by minibus taxis' on-road aggressive behaviours reported riskier and more severe forms of reactions than frustrated female and older drivers.The responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers' on-road aggressive behaviours have parallels with the responses of individuals to social bullying or victimisation, as researched and explained in social-psychological theory. More work is needed to explore this relationship but it is possible that the responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers' aggressive behaviours could be explained by these theories.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University