The effects of economic stress and urbanization on driving behaviours of Boda-boda drivers and accidents in Gulu, Northern Uganda: a qualitative view of drivers

Introduction: understanding motorcyclists´ on-the-road behaviour is critical for developing and evaluating interventions specifically targeting them. Risky on-the-road behaviours have historically been subdivided into errors and violations of the rules of road use. Police records could be used to record cyclists´ behaviours, however these documents do not necessarily capture all errors and violations. None use of protective wears have been documented in many studies conducted on Boda-boda drivers in Uganda. The relationship between drivers´ economic stress, and road safety have been studied for many years but the effects of global and economic stress; its joint effects on behaviours of drivers in relations to accidents have received very little attention. This study aimed at assessing the relationship between injuries and the Boda-boda drivers´ behaviours in Northern Uganda. Methods: two hundred Boda-boda drivers from Gulu Municipality had face-to-face interviews to assess views and underlying factors on the issue of high prevalence of motorcycle road traffic accidents and injuries. Descriptive statistics were used to describe factors on-road accidents including personal information, knowledge, skills and attitudes towards road use and safety. The study was approved by a local Institutional Review Board (IRB). Results: collectively, the results showed that economic stress is an important factor that affects drivers´ behaviour and increases their risks to motorcycle accidents. Conclusion: these authors suggest that more studies should be conducted to determine the relationship between economic stress, anger and dangerous behaviours among Boda-boda drivers and accidents in Gulu Municipality using a Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ)