Understanding and compliance to road traffic signs among commuter minibus drivers in Makindye division, Kampala.

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, road traffic crashes cause over 1.35 million deaths and leaving over 50 million people with disabilities every year. The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians, motor cyclists, and pedal cyclists. Many governments, Uganda inclusive, have put road traffic signs to regulate road user behavior among others. However, it is not known if commuter minibus drivers who are the major perpetrators of road crashes understand and comply with these signs. The objective of this study is to assess the understanding and compliance to the road traffic signs among commuter minibus (taxi) driver in Makindye division, Kampala. Methodology: This study will be conducted in Makindye division using a cross-sectional study design to interview 384 commuter minibus (taxi) drivers. The drivers will be sampled from their different stages in Makindye division using simple random sampling techniques. Data will be analysed using STATA version 13.0 and results reported using frequencies and figures. Results: Generally, the understanding of the road traffic signsby the commuter minibus (taxi) drivers was low with majority understanding only what 5 signs mean of the 21 signs that is speed hump 98.2% (376/383), traffic lights 97.7% (374/383), pedestrian crossing 96.1% (368/383), bend to the right 77.3% (296/383) and children crossing 71.8% (275/383). Commuter minibus (taxi) drivers comply to these road traffic signs that is pedestrian crossing, children crossing, speed hump and traffic lights. Faded road traffic signs 52.7% (202/383) were found to be the major barrier hindering compliance with road traffic signs. Reflective material of the road traffic sign 60.6% (232/383), presence of traffic officers 57.4% (220/383), color of the road traffic sign 59.0% (226/383) and its size 53.3% (204/383) were found to motivate the drivers to comply with the road traffic signs. Conclusion: The commuter minibus (taxi) drivers barely understood the meaning and complied to the road traffic signs.