Investigating on-road crash risk and traffic offences in Vietnam using the motorcycle rider behaviour questionnaire (MRBQ)

Abstract

The factor structure of the Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ) was investigated in Vietnam, a developing country with an extensive motorcycling culture. In addition, we examined which of the MRBQ factors, riding information and demographic variables predict motorists' crash risks and traffic violations. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the MRBQ revealed a clear four-factor structure of 36 items (N = 2.254 riders). This study highlights some critical differences between motorists from Vietnam and other countries. Vietnamese riders without a driver's licence had lower on-road crash/near-crash rates, and the use of safety equipment paradoxically increased the incidence of crash risks. Furthermore, crash/near-crash liability and offences of Vietnamese motorcyclists rose with riding years (in terms of years already riding a motorcycle). The 36-item version of the MRBQ provided in this paper may be applied to other motorcycling countries. Besides, based on the robust relationships between the MRBQ factors and accident risks, new effective on-road safety strategies can focus on minimizing the common aberrant riding behaviours such as traffic errors, control errors, speed and alcohol-related violations in Vietnam.