Exploring Heavy Goods Vehicle Operators’ Opinions on E-Learning for Enhanced Road Safety in Ethiopia: Insights from the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Trade Corridor

Abstract

This study examines crash involvement, safety training exposure, and e-learning readiness among commercial heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers in Ethiopia. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 202 male drivers operating along the Addis Ababa– Djibouti trade corridor, a high-risk freight route that carries approximately 95% of Ethiopia’s international trade and serves as the country’s primary gateway to global markets. The survey assessed crash history, safety training experiences, perceived safety challenges, and barriers to and motivators for e-learning adoption. Results indicate persistently high crash involvement despite widespread participation in conventional classroom- based training, suggesting a gap between training provision and real-world safety outcomes. Older and mid-career drivers exhibited higher crash involvement, highlighting a gap between training provision and behavioral or operational safety outcomes, while younger and more educated drivers showed greater readiness for technology-enhanced training. Although most drivers valued safety training, many perceived existing programs as repetitive, insufficiently interactive, and poorly aligned with operational demands. Key facilitators for e-learning adoption included flexible schedules, ease of use, and motivational support, whereas limited digital skills and low perceived usefulness remained barriers for some groups. The findings highlight the need for age-responsive, flexible, and interactive e-learning approaches to complement traditional training and address persistent safety risks, such as fatigue and unsafe driving behaviors. These approaches also support scalable, technology-enhanced interventions tailored to Ethiopia’s high-risk freight corridors, while guiding future research directions.