1.1 Introduction
Okada riders, also known as commercial motorcycle riders, are ubiquitous in many urban and peri-urban areas in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. They provide affordable and convenient transportation options for millions of people but are also among the most vulnerable road users due to their exposure to various risks, including traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Helmets play a crucial role in mitigating the severity of head injuries and reducing the risk of fatalities in motorcycle accidents. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of helmets in protecting riders from traumatic brain injuries and other serious consequences of crashes. However, the benefits of helmets rely heavily on their proper use and consistent compliance by riders.
Understanding Okada riders' knowledge and attitudes towards helmet usage and safety precautions is essential for designing effective interventions to promote road safety. Knowledge gaps and misconceptions about the importance of helmets, coupled with negative attitudes towards safety measures, can undermine efforts to improve compliance and reduce the incidence of motorcycle accidents.
1.2 Background of Study
In many urban settings across the globe, motorcycle taxis, popularly known as "okadas," serve as a vital mode of transportation, particularly in areas with dense traffic and limited public transportation options. Despite their convenience, okada riders often operate in precarious conditions, with safety concerns looming large. Among these concerns, the usage of helmets and adherence to safety precautions stand out as pivotal factors in mitigating risks associated with motorcycle accidents. The knowledge and attitude of okada riders towards helmet usage and safety precautions play a significant role in determining their safety practices on the road. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective interventions aimed at promoting road safety and reducing the incidence of motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities.
Motorcyclists constitute a significant portion of those injured in traffic incidents on the roadways. The rise in commercial motorcycle sales is ascribed to two factors: firstly, motorcycles are sold at comparatively lower prices than other vehicle types; secondly, the lucrative nature of the motorcycle taxi industry draws more people into the business, especially young people (Solagberu et al., 2006). It has been discovered that helmets reduce the death rate among motorcycle riders (WHO, 2006) and are an effective protective measure against head injuries (Keng, 2005). Okada riders, commonly found in urban areas of developing countries, play a vital role in transportation but often operate without adequate safety measures. Understanding their awareness and attitudes toward safety can inform interventions to enhance road safety and reduce Okada-related accidents.
Studies have shown that while many riders possess awareness of the importance of helmets in preventing head injuries, actual usage rates remain suboptimal, influenced by factors such as comfort, peer influence, and perceived inconvenience. Moreover, the attitude of Okada riders towards safety precautions encompasses a spectrum of beliefs, ranging from risk acceptance to risk aversion. Cultural, economic, and social factors often shape these attitudes, influencing riders' decisions regarding the use of safety gear and adherence to traffic regulations.
Okada riders literary means motor cycle riders and their attitudes towards the used of helmet and safely have become the issues for concern in recent times. Their negative attitudes towards the use of crash helmet, contributes to increase morbidity and mortality rates. The attitudes and disregard for safety measures have over the years led to the emergency of several directives to sage guard their life. One new directives that has dominates headlines caused to defiance on the part of Okada riders and made the relevant authorities resort to puncture measures is that of crash helmet to the average Okada rider, the use of helmets translates into inconvenience and unnecessary expenses in the face of the biting economic condition.
It also legalize extortions in the hands of the Nigerian police for man − compliance, to an average passenger the use of helmet in too dangerous especially the one provided by an Okada rider. Infections and ritual purposes are factors that make many hearts palpate at the sight of the helmet. Crash Helmet is designed to cushion and protect rider’s head from the impact of a crash.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Okada riders towards helmet usage and safety precautions.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that okada riders constitute major problems in increasing morbidity and mortality rate thereby decreasing human resources in the nation. Illiteracy and poverty level of Okada riders also acts as contributing factors to the negative attitudes of Okada riders towards the use of crash helmet.
Additionally, ignorance about safety importance of the crash helmet makes most of the Okada riders use both fake and substandard crash helmet. Furthermore, many Okada riders may lack adequate knowledge about the importance of wearing helmets and following safety precautions while operating motorcycles.
This study tends to delve into the nuances of okada riders' knowledge and attitudes towards helmet usage and safety precautions, employing a mixed-methods approach to gather comprehensive insights. By examining the underlying factors driving riders' behaviors, policymakers, transportation authorities, and advocacy groups can devise targeted strategies to promote helmet usage and enhance overall road safety for both riders and other road users.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Knowledge and Attitude of Okada Riders towards the Use of Helmet and Safety Precautions. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the attitudes of Okada riders towards the use of safety precautions, including helmets, reflective gear, and adherence to traffic regulations;
- To explore the socio-demographic characteristics that may impact Okada riders' knowledge and attitudes towards safety precautions;
- To indicate that negative attitude of Okada riders towards the use of crash helmet heads to high morbidity and mortality rate;
- To identify the factors influencing Okada riders' decisions regarding helmet usage and adherence to safety measures;
- To assess the knowledge level of Okada riders regarding the importance of wearing helmets; and
- To provide recommendations to improve Okada riders' awareness and compliance with helmet usage and other safety measures to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there negative attitude of Okada riders towards the use of crash helmet heads to high morbidity and mortality rate?
- What are the socio-demographic characteristics that may impact Okada riders' knowledge and attitudes towards safety precautions?
- What are the factors influencing Okada riders' decisions regarding helmet usage and adherence to safety measures?
- What is the knowledge level of Okada riders regarding the importance of wearing helmets?
- What are the attitudes of Okada riders towards the use of safety precautions, including helmets, reflective gear, and adherence to traffic regulations?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Okada riders do not have negative attitudes towards the use of helmet in Nigeria.
- H1: Okada riders have negative attitudes towards the use of helmet in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no positive relationship between the use of crash helmet and attitude to safety among Okada riders.
- H1: There is positive relationship between the use of crash helmet and attitude to safety among Okada riders.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: Okada riders who possess higher levels of knowledge regarding the importance of helmet usage and safety precautions will not exhibit positive attitudes towards adhering to safety measures compared to those with lower levels of knowledge.
- H1: Okada riders who possess higher levels of knowledge regarding the importance of helmet usage and safety precautions will exhibit more positive attitudes towards adhering to safety measures compared to those with lower levels of knowledge.
1.7 Significance of Study
The significance of the findings of this research is of paramount importance for several reasons. Firstly, Okada (commercial motorcycle) riders are among the most vulnerable road users, frequently involved in accidents due to their exposure to various risks such as reckless driving, poor road infrastructure, and non-compliance with safety regulations. Understanding their knowledge and attitudes towards safety measures can provide insights into their behavior on the road and help in designing targeted interventions to improve road safety.
Furthermore, despite the fact that a lot of people have written research on plane crash, road accident, little or no research has been done on an attitude of Okada riders. Because this research is a leading research it will act as a reference materials to those who will work on this research in schools, colleges, universities etc. The research will assume the government in facilitating the using of laws that will enforce the use of crash helmet and make Okada riders to develop a positive attitude.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Knowledge and Attitude of Okada Riders towards the Use of Helmet and Safety Precautions. This study in basically on Ojodu Local Government however care should be applied when trying to apply the study in generalized the whole Lagos State or Nigeria.
The study is limited to Ojodu local government and however this research provided useful information and research on the attitude of Okada riders and the use of helmet.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Attitude:
Attitude is a way of thinking or feeling or way of individual behaviors or a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and disposition.
Okada Rider:
Okada riders literary means motor cycle riders or motor bike rider.
Crash Helmet:
It is a type of protective head gear used by motorcycle riders to protect the riders head during impact, the primary goal of a motorcycle helmet is motorcycle safety.
Head Injury:
Head injury is a general term used to describe any traveling to the head and most specifically to the brain itself.
Safety:
Safety is the state of being “safe”, the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, political emotional, occupational, psychological educational or other types on consequences of failure, damages or accident, herm or any other event which could be considered non desirable. This can take the form of being protected from the event or exposure to something that causes health is economical loses it can include protection of people or of possessions
