Influence of commercial drivers’ risky behavior on accident involvement: moderating effect of positive driving behavior

Abstract

The influence of risky driving behavior on road traffic accidents (RTAs) is a relationship that requires draconian measures to curtail the rising surge of road traffic accidents among commercial drivers. Any attempt to ignore this will result in continuous loss of lives and properties, thus weakening the global economy, especially in developing countries. The risky driving behaviors of commercial drivers (truck and taxi drivers) in Nigeria require a panacea due to their contribution to RTAs. The study examines the moderating effect of positive driving behavior on commercial truck and taxi drivers’ risky driving behavior and accident involvement relationship. A total of 1823 commercial vehicle drivers (943 taxi drivers and 880 truck drivers) completed the driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ), while the structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used for the analysis. The results indicated a significant moderating effect of positive driving behavior on the risky driving behavior and accident involvement relationship for both commercial truck and taxi drivers in Nigeria. Specifically, the truck drivers had a positive moderating effect, resulting in a decrease in RTAs with an increase in positive driving behavior. In contrast, the taxi drivers had a negative moderating effect. The results suggest that increasing positive driving behavior among truck drivers will enhance their safety, while taxi drivers will need more assessment to identify other risky behaviors that could expose them to more RTAs despite the positive driving behavior. This study will aid decision makers, transport trainers, and driver employers in knowing the importance of enforcing and promoting positive driving behaviors among drivers and include it in driving policy and driver training curricula towards RTA reduction.