Vehicles condition and Drivers’ Perception of Road Accidents: Evidence from District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study examines the association between vehicle condition and drivers’ perception of road accidents in District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A random sample of 285 drivers was drawn from four major bus stands: Ahmad Brothers Coach Dir Flying Coach (ABC DFC), General Bus Stand, New Dir Flying Coach Company (NDFC) and Malak Bus Stand. A well designed structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data from the respondents at major bus stands. The study applied univariate analysis using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentage distribution) and bivariate analysis for Chi Square test. The Chi square test was used to determine the association between the dependent variable (drivers’ perception of road accidents) and the independent variable (vehicle condition). Association between vehicle condition and drivers perception of road accidents show that drivers perception of road accident had significant association (P = 0.001) with vehicles are often in poor condition, with issues like broken lights or worn-out tires, condition of vehicle impacts driving performance (P =0.005), drivers regularly checked their vehicle’s brakes, tires, and lights for safety (P =0.003), and vehicle often experiences breakdowns or mechanical failures (P =0.000). It is concluded from the study that in the public transport, especially those used for shorter distance, improperly maintained old model vehicles are used. Such vehicles are often in poor condition with issues like broken lights or worn out tire. Although, according to drivers, they regularly check their vehicles brakes, tire and lights for safety but drivers still experiences breakdown or mechanical failures, because they ignore minor problem like malfunctioning indicators, signals and breaks. Therefore, vehicle condition is highly associated with fatalities, injuries and financial loss due to road accidents. It is suggested to enact and effectively implement laws that restrict the use of poorly maintained or old vehicles for general public transport, and to mandate regular mechanical inspections for all public and private vehicles through the establishment of a dedicated regulatory department.