Aggressive driving behaviour : the case of minibus taxi drivers in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, drivers of minibus taxis are often described as being unlawful, aggressive and sometimes dangerous drivers. Such claims have, however, never been fully substantiated in traffic studies. Previous studies into taxi services focused on taxi drivers? safety perception and risk taking behaviour, factors that contribute to taxis? accidents, and taxi commuters? satisfaction. However, no research has yet been carried out to identify key types of taxi drivers? on-road aggressive behaviour. In this study, the focus is on examining the nature and frequency of the most common types of taxi drivers? aggressive behaviour at three locations in Cape Town. This was achieved through the collection and analysis of video material from these three locations. In addition, interviews were held with taxi drivers to explore their behaviour as well as with other drivers to assess their experiences with taxis. The study found the taxi drivers were statistically more likely to engage in unsafe and aggressive driving practices than other drivers. It identified thirteen different types of aggressive behaviour by taxi drivers ranging from covert and less severe types of aggression on one extreme to overt and highly risky types of aggression on the other. Interviews with ?other drivers? indicated that taxi driver aggression is common, and even self-report surveys by taxi drivers themselves confirmed a significant degree of aggressive behaviour in their everyday driving.