Defensive advanced driving, law enforcement and working conditions: a minibus taxi driver's perspective

Abstract

Despite the fact that the minibus taxi industry plays an important role in all South Africans' daily lives, little attention in terms of research has been paid to driving behaviour concerns affecting minibus taxi drivers, law enforcement attitude toward minibus taxi drivers and their working conditions. This research paper followed a cross-sectional qualitative research methodology that was tailored into a semi-structured focus group interviews and an experiment analysis. Ten minibus taxi drivers were selected using a judgement nonprobability sampling method. Questions on the behaviour of fellow motorists and law enforcement towards minibus taxi drivers were posed, as were their working conditions. Also, an experimental survey was done to get real-time driving behaviour and performance data using analysis of video material. The recorded data showed that the minibus taxi drivers drove at an average speed of 114 km per hour in an 80 km per hour zone. The findings showed that there is arousing financial abuse by law enforcement toward minibus taxi drivers and also emotional abuse from fellow motorists. In terms of workload, the research paper responded and painted a bleak picture, as minibus drivers reported an average of 15 working hours per day. Furthermore, the research paper reveals that rising degrees of tiredness have an effect on reckless and violent conduct that results in accidents. Finally, the research paper provides insights into possible remedies and how the minibus taxi industry operators can enhance working conditions and decrease road accidents for minibus taxi drivers and commuters.