the response of other drivers to minibus taxi drivers' on-road aggressive behaviour

221 Pages·2015·6.49 MB·English

THE RESPONSE OF OTHER DRIVERS TO MINIBUS TAXI DRIVERS’
ON-ROAD AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR: A CASE STUDY IN CAPE
TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
by
Emmanuel Imaniranzi
Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters
in the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University
Supervisor: Prof. Marion Sinclair
Department of Civil Engineering
March 2015
Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Declaration
By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my
own original work, that I am the authorship owner thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise
stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification.
Signature:
Date:
Copyright © 2015 Stellenbosch University
All rights reserved
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Abstract
Every year, more than 1.24 million traffic related deaths are registered globally with the highest fatality
rates in middle- and low income countries. Minibus taxis represent the most dominant mode of public
transportation associated with road traffic crashes and injuries in most African countries. From a safety
perspective, aggressive driving behaviour is one of the main causes of road traffic crashes. This study
examined the nature and the frequency of the most common types of the minibus taxis drivers’ on-road
aggressive behaviour as well as the corresponding response behaviour of drivers of other vehicles to
those behaviours. The research was done through video observations in Cape Town, South Africa.
Through questionnaires, this study also explored the effect of driver age and gender of minibus taxi
drivers on the on-road aggressive behaviour. The effect of age and gender of drivers frustrated by
minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive on-road behaviours on levels of anger aroused as well as on the
response behaviours reported was investigated from within the framework of a frustration and
aggression model of aggressive driving.
In a total of 7,266 minibus taxis observed from three different sites, 943 aggressive driving behaviours
noted were divided into three categories: traffic obstructions (stopping in the road or outside bus stops),
disregarding traffic signs and signals (red light running and violating stop lines), and improper passing
behaviours (cutting in too close, overtaking on road shoulder or on yellow lane, crossing solid lines to
pass vehicles in the next lane, inappropriate lane utilisation). Observations were coded based on pre-
determined evaluation indices. The more frequent response manoeuvres by drivers behind aggressive
minibus taxis were swerving to the next lanes, accelerating to refuse gaps for minibus taxis, running
behind minibus taxi red light runners, and hooting. The results from the questionnaire survey revealed
that driver age and gender affected both the minibus taxi drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviours and
the response behaviours reported by other drivers. Respondents reported that younger minibus taxi
drivers exhibit more on-road aggressive behaviour than old minibus taxi drivers. Male and younger
drivers frustrated by minibus taxis’ on-road aggressive behaviours reported riskier and more severe
forms of reactions than frustrated female and older drivers.
The responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviours
have parallels with the responses of individuals to social bullying or victimisation, as researched and
explained in social-psychological theory. More work is needed to explore this relationship but it is
possible that the responses of drivers of other vehicles to the minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive behaviours
could be explained by these theories.
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Opsomming
Elke jaar word meer as 1.240.000 verkeer verwante sterftes met die hoogste sterftekoerse in die middel-
en lae-inkomste lande geregistreer. Minibus-taxi's verteenwoordig die mees dominante vorm van
openbare vervoer wat verband hou met verkeer ongelukke en beserings in die meeste van die Afrika-
lande. Wat veiligheid betref, is aggressiewe bestuursgedrag een van die belangrikste oorsake van die
verkeers-ongelukke. Hierdie studie ondersoek die aard en die frekwensie van die mees algemene vorme
van minibus taxi-bestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag sowel as die reaksies van bestuurders van ander
voertuie op dié gedrag. Die navorsing is deur middel van video waarneming in Kaapstad uitgevoer.
Hierdie studie het ook die effek van die minibus taxibestuurders se ouderdom en geslag op aggressiewe
padgedrag met vraelyste ondersoek. Die uitwerking van aggressiewe bestuurgedrag op die vlakke van
woede wat deur ander bestuurders ervaar word, sowel as op hul reaksies is vanuit die raamwerk van 'n
frustrasie en aggressie model van aggressiewe bestuur ondersoek.
In totaal van 7266 minibus-taxi's is waargeneem op drie verskillende plekke. Die 943 voorvalle van
aggressiewe ry-gedrag is in drie kategorieë verdeel naamlik verkeer obstruksies, verontagsaming van
verkeerstekens en -seine, en onbehoorlike gedrag. Gedrag is gekodeer deur van voorafbepaalde
evaluering-sindekse gebruik te maat. Hierdie gedrag het ingesluit belemmer in a van verkeer, insny
voor ander verkeer, kruising van soliede lyne, onvanpaste laangebruik, verbysteek op pad-skouers of
op die geellyne, verontagsaming van rooi verkeersseine, en die oortreding van stoplyne. Die mees
waargenome reaksies deur voertuie agter aggressiewe minibus-taxi's is wegswenk na die volgende lane,
versnelling om gapings vir minibus-taxi's te weier, naloop agter taxi wat deur verkeerseine ry, en die
gebruik van die toeter. Die resultate van die vraelysopnames het getoon dat die bestuurder se ouderdom
en geslag beide die taxi- bestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag en die reaksie-gedrag daarop bepaal.
Resondente het aangedui dat jonger minibus-taxi-bestuurders meer aggressiewe padgedrag as ouer
minibus taxi-bestuurders toon.
Die response van die ander bestuurders op taxibestuurders se aggressiewe padgedrag het ooreenkomste
met die reaksies van individue tot sosiale boeliegedrag of viktimisering , soos nagevors en verduidelik
in sosiaal-sielkundige teorie. Verdere werk is nodig om hierdie verhouding te verken, aangesien dit
moontlik is dat die reaksies van bestuurders van ander voertuie op minibustaxi- bestuurders se
aggressiewe padgedrag deur hierdie teorieë verklaar kan word.

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Acknowledgments
The successful completion of the present thesis would have not been possible without the assistance
and encouragement of others.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciations to the following:
- My study leader, Marion Sinclair for her guidance, positive attitude, and advice. I am thankful
for everything you did for me. Your time, interest, and patience made my Masters possible!
- The Rwandan Government, which through the Rwandan Education Board (REB) sponsored
my studies at Stellenbosch University.
- Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) Kigali for facilitating my study leave
- The Department of Civil Engineering for accepting me and providing all the necessities I
needed to complete my studies. I am thankful to Ms Alett Slabbert.
- Kevin Edward Cole, CCTV and Radio communications supervisor, Traffic Management
Centre, Cape Town, for supplying me with the minibus taxis’ video footages.
- Carl October, Director Road Planning at Western Cape Government DTPW, Cape Town, South
Africa for providing me with population data of minibus taxis in the Cape Town Area.
- Dominique A. ter Huurne and Claudia B. Struwig, postgraduate students at Stellenbosch
University for their assistance in conducting surveys.
- Christo J. Bester, Louis Roodt, and Johan Andersen, lecturers in the Department of Civil
Engineering at Stellenbosch University, for their assistance.
- Gibson Ncube and Medadi Ssentanda, PhD students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
General Linguistics, at Stellenbosch University, for their assistance in editing.
- Jean d’amour Rwunguko, Naphtal Ntirengenya, Emmanuel Twagirimana, Placide Nshuti
Kanyabujinja, Masters’ students, for supporting me and facilitating my stay in Stellenbosch.
- Lastly and most highly, God almighty for being with me throughout this journey.
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to my beloved parents,
Mr. Vincent Kalima and Mrs. Colette Mukamugema,
My brothers and sisters,
My friends

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Table of Contents

Declaration ............................................................................................................................................... i
Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... ii
Opsomming ............................................................................................................................................ iii
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. iv
Dedication ............................................................................................................................................... v
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... vi
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... x
List of Figures ....................................................................................................................................... xii
List of symbols and abbreviations ........................................................................................................ xv
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Aggressive Driving and the Frustration and Aggression (F-A) Model ......................................... 4
1.3 Research problem .......................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 Research hypotheses ..................................................................................................................... 9
1.5 Aim and objectives ....................................................................................................................... 9
1.6 Research definition ..................................................................................................................... 10
1.7 Brief chapter overview ................................................................................................................ 10
1.8 Definition of key terms ............................................................................................................... 11
1.8.1 Minibus Taxi ........................................................................................................................ 11
1.8.2 Frustration ............................................................................................................................ 11
1.8.3 Anger .................................................................................................................................... 11
1.8.4 Driving Anger ...................................................................................................................... 11
1.8.5 Aggression ........................................................................................................................... 11
1.8.6 Aggressive driving ............................................................................................................... 12
Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................................... 13
2.1 A general overview of minibus taxi drivers’ behaviour.............................................................. 13
2.2 The minibus taxi industry in South Africa .................................................................................. 15
2.2.1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 15
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2.2.2 Minibus taxis and threats for road safety ............................................................................. 17
2.3 Driving behaviours ...................................................................................................................... 20
2.3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 20
2.3.2 Definition of aggressive driving .......................................................................................... 21
2.3.3 The Frustration and Aggression Theory of aggressive driving ............................................ 22
2.3.4 Prevalence of aggressive driving behaviours ....................................................................... 26
2.3.4.1 International studies ...................................................................................................... 26
2.3.4.2 South Africa .................................................................................................................. 26
2.3.5 Precursors to aggressive road behaviours ............................................................................ 28
2.3.5.1 Person-related factors .................................................................................................... 30
2.3.5.2 Situational factors ......................................................................................................... 30
2.3.6 Aggressive driving manoeuvres ........................................................................................... 32
2.3.6.1 Improper passing and overtaking .................................................................................. 32
2.3.6.2 Speeding and Tailgating ................................................................................................ 34
2.3.6.3 Red Light Running ........................................................................................................ 36
2.3.6.4 Traffic obstructions and hooting behaviours ................................................................. 41
2.3.7 Measures of aggressive driving behaviours ......................................................................... 42
2.4 Responses to aggressive driving behaviours ............................................................................... 45
2.4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 45
2.4.2 Definition of bullying........................................................................................................... 45
2.4.3 Responses of the victims of bullying behaviours ................................................................. 46
2.5 Driving anger and aggressive driving ......................................................................................... 49
2.5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 49
2.5.2 Driving Anger ...................................................................................................................... 50
2.5.3 Driver Anger Expression ..................................................................................................... 53
Chapter 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 55
3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 55
3.2 Research design .......................................................................................................................... 55
3.3 Data collection methods .............................................................................................................. 56
3.3.1 Observational technique ....................................................................................................... 57
3.3.2 Questionnaire surveys .......................................................................................................... 58
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3.4 Site selection ............................................................................................................................... 59
3.5 Research methodology ................................................................................................................ 63
3.5.1 Pilot study I: Minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive driving behaviours ..................................... 63
3.5.2 Instrumentation .................................................................................................................... 65
3.5.3 Data collection procedures ................................................................................................... 65
3.5.3.1 Recorded data ................................................................................................................ 65
3.5.3.2 Survey data .................................................................................................................... 66
3.5.3.3 Evaluation indices ......................................................................................................... 68
3.5.4 Measures of driver anger, anger expression, and aggressive driving behaviours ................ 76
3.5.4.1 Driver anger and anger expression ................................................................................ 76
3.5.4.2 Aggressive driving behaviours ...................................................................................... 77
3.5.5 Data reduction ...................................................................................................................... 78
3.5.6 Sample size and selection technique .................................................................................... 79
3.5.7 Data analysis ........................................................................................................................ 81
3.6 Ethical considerations ................................................................................................................. 81
3.7 Limitations .................................................................................................................................. 82
Chapter 4 RESULTS PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ............................................................ 85
4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 85
4.2 Observational study .................................................................................................................... 87
4.2.1 Traffic obstructions by minibus taxi drivers ........................................................................ 87
4.2.1.1 Characterisation of obstructing minibus taxis ............................................................... 87
4.2.1.2 Frequency of minibus taxi drivers’ traffic obstructions ................................................ 87
4.2.1.3 Response behaviours to traffic obstructions by minibus taxi drivers ............................ 88
4.2.1.4 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 94
4.2.2 Minibus taxis’ red Light Running and Stop Line violations ................................................ 94
4.2.2.1 Characterisation of minibus taxis’ red light running and stop line violations............... 95
4.2.2.2 Frequency of minibus taxis’ red light running and stop line violations ........................ 99
4.2.2.3 Response behaviours to minibus taxis’ red light running and stop line violations ..... 103
4.2.2.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 106
4.2.3 Improper passing behaviours by minibus taxi drivers ....................................................... 107
4.2.3.1 Characterisation of minibus taxis’ improper passing manoeuvres .............................. 108
4.2.3.2 Frequency of minibus taxis’ aggressive passing behaviours ...................................... 111
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4.2.3.3 Behaviours of victims of minibus taxis’ aggressive passing manoeuvres .................. 113
4.2.3.4 Prevalence of aggressive responses to the minibus taxis’ improper passing .............. 117
4.2.3.5 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 118
4.3 Survey ....................................................................................................................................... 119
4.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 119
4.3.2 Minibus taxis’ on-road aggressive behaviours ................................................................... 119
4.3.2.1 Prevalence of minibus taxis’ on-road aggressive behaviours ..................................... 120
4.3.2.2 Effect of driver age on minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive on-road behaviours............. 122
4.3.2.3 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 124
4.3.2.4 Motives of minibus taxi drivers’ on-road aggressive behaviours ............................... 125
4.3.2.5 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 127
4.3.2.6 Time exposure, accident history, and safe driving practices ....................................... 128
4.3.2.7 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 129
4.3.3 Response behaviours to minibus taxis’ on-road aggressive behaviours ............................ 129
4.3.3.1 Experiences of minibus taxi drivers’ aggressive behaviours in the last 12 months .... 130
4.3.3.2 Effect of driver gender on levels of anger aroused ..................................................... 130
4.3.3.3 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 133
4.3.3.4 Effect of driver age on levels of anger aroused ........................................................... 134
4.3.3.5 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 137
4.3.3.6 Effect of driver gender on response behaviours .......................................................... 138
4.3.3.7 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 145
4.3.3.8 Effect of driver age on response behaviours showed .................................................. 146
4.3.3.9 Discussion ................................................................................................................... 153
Chapter 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................... 154
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 154
5.2 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 154
5.2.1 Video observation .............................................................................................................. 154
5.2.2 Survey ................................................................................................................................ 156
5.3 Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 158
References ........................................................................................................................................... 161
Appendices .......................................................................................................................................... 172

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