CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

The rise in motorcycle ownership in the Philippines led to the increase in the

number of accidents related to its use. From 20042006, around 6.7% of trauma admission

at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) are victims of motorcycle accidents (Consunji

et al., 2013) and in a case study conducted in 2013 at the Manila Doctors Hospital 40.4%

of injuries in the sample of 156 patient records were related to motorcycle accidents

(O'Connor and Ruiz, 2014).

Motorcycle riders get involved in different kinds of accidents ranging from minor

to fatal ones. Although the reported number of accidents involving motorcycles in the

Philippines shows an increasing trend, it is believed that there are many instances that

remain unreported especially minor ones.

The limited experience in riding a motorcycle had been attributed by many

researchers to accidents. A study of motorcycle accidents in a hospital in Brazil showed

that young riders with less than 5 years of experience are more likely to encounter

accidents (Zabeu et al., 2013). Driving experience alone does not determine safe driving

as Crundall (2013) discovered that motorcycle riders with advance training had the fastest

hazard response times compared to experienced riders.

It is listed that some causes of motorcycle accident ar over-speeding, failure to

stop at a junction before entering the main road, wearing of non-protective light clothing

and slippers, carrying in excess of one passenger, and failure to make appropriate turn

signals. Non adherence to road signs, unlicensed and untrained riders, drunk or drugged

riding, shared-rides involving two or more passengers, are other general causes of
 2

motorcycle accidents. Due to this different factors this study titled “Motorcycle accidents,

causes and consequences: An Assessment” came to light to determine the primary reason

of motorcycle accidents within the city of Santiago and also in the process understand

some of its consequences that will be collected from motorcycle riders involved in

motorcycle accidents.
 3

Background of the Study

Despite the numerous advantages associated with the use of motorcycle for

commercial transportation, the high rate of motorcycle accident, ranked by Oluwadiya,

Kolawole, Adegbehingbe, Olasinde, Olaide, & Uwaezuoke (2009) as the second most

common causes of road traffic injuries in Nigeria, has been a big source of worry to both

the society and the different Government agencies charged with the responsibility of

promoting safety on the roads. Accidents can be classified in terms of severity or number

of vehicles involved. In terms of severity, O'Flaherty (2006b) classify them as fatal; when

there is loss of human life within 30 days of occurrence, or from injuries sustained

directly from the accidents, serious; when someone is wounded and hospitalized, minor;

when there is no injury to someone but there is damage to vehicles or property.

Classification by vehicles as reported by Khisty & Lall (2008) can be multiple vehicles,

single vehicle, vehicle pedestrian and vehicle-fixed object.

The consequences of motorcycle accidents on the riders and passengers are

normally injury and in severe cases death. Such associated injuries can be head, fracture,

limb wound, facial/scalp, dislocations, abdominal, chest and spinal injuries. According to

Umar (2002) head injuries contributed to around 75 percent of deaths among motorized

two-wheelers users, in European countries, while in some low- income and middle

-income countries head injuries are estimated to account for up to 88% of such fatalities.

These values are however higher than values reported by Ngim, Udosen & Ikpeme

(2006) attributing 66.7 percent of death associated with motorcycle accidents in Calabar

to head injuries. Other consequences of motorcycle accidents are economic loss; arising
 4

from damages to motorcycle, cost of treatment in hospitals, cost of litigations, and loss of

man hour for the employed and burial expenses in the case of death.

It is listed some causes of motorcycle accident as over-speeding, failure to stop at

a junction before entering the main road, wearing of non-protective light clothing and

slippers, carrying in excess of one passenger, and failure to make appropriate turn signals.

Non adherence to road signs, unlicensed and untrained riders, drunk or drugged riding,

shared-rides involving two or more passengers, are other general causes of motorcycle

accidents.
 5

Objectives

To be able to determine the causes of motorcycle accidents, the reason why

motorcycle riders continue the use of this mode of transportation, the consequences

caused by motorcycle accidents, and what could be done to make motorcycle riders safer

on the road.

Statement of the Problem

This study titled “Motorcycle Accident Causes and Consequences: An

Assessment” aims to determine the possible causes and consequences of motorcycle

accidents.

Specifically it seeks to answer to the following questions:

1. What are the profile of respondents with regards to their:

a. Age

b. Gender

c. Number of motorcycle owned

d. Number of motorcycle accident

2. What are the common traffic violations committed by motorcycle

riders of Santiago City in relation to:

a. Proper Papers

b. Protective Gears

c. Traffic Signs and Signals

d. Traffic flow
 6

3. What are the common traffic accidents caused by traffic violations

committed by motorcycle riders?

4. What are the measures to be undertaken in order to reduce the

occurrence of motorcycle accidents within the city of Santiago?

 7

Significance of the Study

This study mainly focuses on determining and laying down in a factual manner

the possible causes and consequences of being involved in motorcycle accidents.

Students. This study will give the Student a better understanding on how to

understand possible causes of motorcycle accident thus giving them knowledge on how

they may be able to avoid being in one.

Local Government Unit. This will help them better understand what must be

implemented in traffic engineering to be able to lessen motorcycle accidents within the

city of Santiago.

Motorcycle Owners. The information gathered from the study will better inform

then on why and how they would be able to avoid motorcycle accidents. Also knowing

the consequences of motorcycle accidents will give them more ideas on how to take

precautions when riding a motorcycle.

For future researchers. Who need to find good research materials as a basis for

their own studies because this study would be a good reference material in their future

researches about the subject discussed in this study.

 8

Paradigm of the Study

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Profile of
respondents in
terms of:
1.1. Age
1.2. Gender
1.3. Number of
motorcycle
owned
1.4. Number of
motorcycle
accidents
2. What is the

perception of the
Determination of the Reduction of motorcycle
respondents on the causes and consequences accidents within the City
of motorcycle accidents of Santiago
possible causes of
thru Survey
their motorcycle Questionnaire and
unstructured interview
accident?

3. What is the

perception of the

respondents on the

consequences of

motorcycle accident?

FEEDBACK
Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study
 9

Definition of Terms

To better understand the studies some terminologies are defined. Here are the

following:

Assessment. An evaluation or a judgment about something based on the understanding

of the situation (Encarta, 2010)

Occurrence – the fact of something existing or being found in a place or under a

particular set of conditions. (Webster’s Dictionary, 2011)

Perceive – interpret or look on (someone or something) in a particular way; regard as

(Webster’s Dictionary, 2011)

Profile – a representation of something in an outline. Concise biographical sketch.

Traffic Accident – one of the leading cause of death, commonly occurring between two

or more vehicles on the road

 10

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDY

Related Literature

Foreign Literature

Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) play an increasing role in European transport

policy because of their potential benefits for the environment, reduction of congestion in

urban areas and their relatively low cost for purchase, operation and infrastructure

requirements. PTW usage has increased but little specific information is known about the

casualties and accidents associated with this usage.

PTW riders are among the most vulnerable road users on European roads. Their

relative risk of death on EU roads is higher than for car occupants (ref. 1). PTW rider

casualties in Western Europe declined by 25% from 1980-90, and by an additional 20%

from 1990 to 1995. However, since then, the downward trend has stopped. A serious

problem for the PTW industry is the lack of detailed statistical data on motorcycle

accidents. At present, European statistical reporting of motorcycle accidents is

insufficient in coverage and in detail and is not harmonised. Causation data and analysis

of a full range of standardized parameters necessary for countermeasure identification are

also not available.

Considering the fact that improved motorcycle accident causation data are

required for targeting remedial action by all stakeholders of the PTW transport mode, the

Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) undertook the development

of a project dealing with in-depth studies of motorcycle accidents. The Motorcycle

 11

Accident in Depth Study (MAIDS) project aimed at providing a harmonised system for

the accident data collection and analysis at the European level.

 12

Local Literature

Transportation is the movement of people and goods from one place to another,

whether in sea, air and land. A lot of transportation have been invented and introduce to

provide the most sufficient and efficient means of transportation to the people. In the

Philippines, jeepneys, buses, MRT, LRT, UV Express and tricycles are the most common

kinds of a transport vehicle.

Consumers look for a kind of vehicle that will reduce their expenses in transportation.

One of the vehicles that can answer their problem is a motorcycle. A motorcycle is a two-

wheeled vehicle that can carry two to three persons including the driver. Motorcycles are

mostly used by the Filipinos because of its affordability. A person with an average

income can afford, since it is low in price compared to other vehicles. It can also

transports a person in the least of time that is why motorcycles became popular for many

Filipinos who needs a fast, efficient but inexpensive transport machine.

According to the record of Land Transportation Office (2014), the most

prominent users of motorcycle are in NCR, having a 537,160 registered motorcycle.

Furthermore, motorcycle has

the highest number of users compared to other vehicles, and followed by cars having a

395,782 registered car. Same record from Land Transportation Office (LTO) indicates

the number of motorcycle users also increase, from 2012, 188,062, on 2013, 197,275 to

249,551 registered motorcycles on 2014. Despite of the many benefits brought by

motorcycle to motorists which result to rapid growth of people using motorcycle, it

considered riskier and more prone to accident because of being exposed by drivers and

passenger/s to twice as much the risk compared to other transport vehicle that leads to
 13

accident that causes injuries, damages to property and eventually death. Based on the

record from Metro Manila Accident Recording Analysis System (MMARAS), there is an

increase in number of road accidents involving motorcycle from year 2009 to 2014.

The government and other concerned sectors implemented policies in order to

minimize the volume of motorcycles involve in road accidents which is as of now

continuously operating. The Republic Act 4136, Land Transportation and Traffic Code,

this law controls the registration and operation of motor vehicle to limit the people who

drives on the road and only give license to the persons who are worthy to give

opportunity to drive vehicle on the road. The Republic Act 10054, Motorcycle Helmet

Act of 2009, this law requires all motorcycle users to wear standard protective helmet

while driving a motorcycle. Other laws are the Senate Bill 2488 and House Bill 4462

which prohibits the children to ride the motorcycles, the approved measure prohibits any

person to drive motorcycle with a child on board.

 14

Related Studies

Foreign Studies

The consequences of motorcycle accidents on the riders and passengers are

normally injury and in severe cases death. Such associated injuries can be head, fracture,

limb wound, facial/scalp, dislocations, abdominal, chest and spinal injuries. According to

Umar (2002) head injuries contributed to around 75 percent of deaths among motorized

two-wheelers users, in European countries, while in some low- income and middle

-income countries head injuries are estimated to account for up to 88% of such fatalities.

These values are however higher than values reported by Ngim, Udosen & Ikpeme

(2006) attributing 66.7 percent of death associated with motorcycle accidents in Calabar

to head injuries. Other consequences of motorcycle accidents are economic loss; arising

from damages to motorcycle, cost of treatment in hospitals, cost of litigations, and loss of

man hour for the employed and burial expenses in the case of death.

Olusanya, William & African Regional Health Education Centre (2007) listed

some causes of motorcycle accident as over-speeding, failure to stop at a junction before

entering the main road, wearing of non-protective light clothing and slippers, carrying in

excess of one passenger, and failure to make appropriate turn signals. Non adherence to

road signs, unlicensed and untrained riders, drunk or drugged riding, shared-rides

involving two or more passengers, are other general causes of motorcycle accidents as

reported by the Nigeria Highway Code (2008), O'Flaherty (2006a), and Oluwadiya,

Kolawole, Adegbehingbe, Olasinde, Olaide, & Uwaezuoke (2009).

Makurdi is the capital of Benue state, Nigeria, West Africa where motorcycle

ownership for use in commercial transportation is on the increase, with attendant

 15

consequences of motorcycle accidents, such as injuries, economic loss, arising from

damages to motorcycle, treatment in hospitals and deaths, likely to increase. The need for

a study aimed at identifying the causes of motorcycle accident in Makurdi, cannot be

overemphasized. Owoaje, Amoran, Osemeikhain & Ohnoferi (2005), Ngim, Udosen &

Ikpeme (2006) and Oluwadiya, Kolawole, Adegbehingbe, Olasinde, Olaide, &

Uwaezuoke (2009) studied motorcycle accidents in some Nigerian cities, the researchers

approached this concept from the consequences of motorcycle accident, without

revealing the causes of these accidents. This study is aimed at identifying the causes of

commercial motorcycle accident in Makurdi metropolis, and using results from the study

to make appropriate recommendation and useful suggestions that will help reduce the

menace of commercial motorcycle accident in Makurdi, metropolis, which may also

serve as a guide in the reduction of commercial motorcycle accidents in other locations.

 16

Local Studies

Timing as a variable affecting accidents was tackled in previous studies. An

assessment of 1,508 motorcycle accidents in Australia was done by Williams and

Hoffmann in 1974. Data show that 63.7% of all accidents occurred during hours during

day, 29.0% during night, and 7.3% at dawn and dusk. This is because the flow of traffic

during day is greater than that of dawn and dusk contrary to the later findings of Yau.

Yau considered five factors, namely, the month of occurrence of the accident, day of the

week, time of the accident, street lighting conditions and weather conditions. Results

revealed that the day of the week and time of the accident are important factors affecting

injury severity. It was also found that motorcycle accidents have higher risk during

weekends than weekdays because motorcycle drivers driving on weekends may exhibit

risky driving behaviors. Furthermore, motorcycle accidents are also more likely to

happen between night and midnight. Perhaps during this time, the driver is more

susceptible to driving at fast speeds due to the small number of vehicles on the road.

Another environment dependent factor is the type of road which affects the

occurrence of an accident. The road characteristics given in the police report in the

Philippines include straight or flat, curved, inclined, curved and inclined, on a bridge and

other type of roads. A study in the United States estimated probabilistic models of

motorcyclists’ injury severities in single and multi-vehicle crashes. Results suggest that

road crashes occurring on vertical or horizontal curves, are significantly likely to

contribute on incapacitating injuries.

No study, however, was found associating the flow of vehicles along the roads to

accidents. One-way movement is logically less prone to accidents because head on

 17

collisions are probably more prone to happen on two-way movements. Since this is not

supported by any study, this shall need further investigation. There were also limited

studies found relating different types of junctions with injury causation or severity.

However, a study by Pai and Saleh has developed predictive models of motorcyclist

injury severity by various crash types at T-junctions in the United Kingdom. The authors

have considered T-junctions as an important area for the study because more accidents

happened at T-junctions than in any other type of junction based on the STATS19

accident injury database from 1991 to 2005. Moreover, an accident is more likely to

occur three times at T-junctions than roundabouts or crossroads .

Predictive models are estimated using human, environmental, vehicle factors and

the data for the model estimation. The study has used ordered logit model to find which

factors are significant to the independent variable. Among the environmental factors

found to be most associated with higher injury severity are day, month, control measure

(traffic control type), lighting conditions and weather conditions, which may be directly

related with surface conditions (dry or wet roads).

Surface conditions in the Philippines can only be either wet or dry. Surface

conditions depend on the weather conditions during the time of accident. Therefore, there

are possible interactions between both variables. If there is no rain falling, then accident

is less likely.This is contradictory to the data from government offices like the MMDA

and the Quezon City police district since there seem to be more accidents during dry or

fair weather. Out of 102 police reports, 92 motorcycle accidents occurred on a fair

weather.
 18

CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Method

This study used the description research method. This method of research

involves careful use of subject; the use of research instrument; and well-planned strategy

for gathering and interpreting the data.

The descriptive method of research, according to Earl Babbie (2010), identifies

exploration, description and explanation as the three purposes of social science research.

Descriptive research classifies phenomena. Descriptive research generally precedes

explanatory research.
 19

Research Design

Descriptive Research design was also used in this study. It is a method of fact

finding study with accurate interpretation of the data. This method will be used by the

researchers to interpret the information from the participants. It is mainly focused on

collecting and analyzing the findings based on the lived experiences of the participants. It

is also emphasizes what actually exist such as the current situation, practices, happenings,

or any similar phenomena (Marvel & Mendel, 2010) .

 20

Respondents of the Study

The study will involve at least 20 motorcycle riders of Santiago City who were

randomly selected and who have been involved in at least one motorcycle accident.

The researcher will use a survey questionnaire in gathering the data needed in the

specific problems of the study. The said instrument is composed of two parts:

Respondents demographic data, and the causes and consequences of motorcycle

accidents.

The respondents demographic data includes the following information which the

respondents were required to provide gender, age, number of motorcycle owned and

number of motorcycle accident.

The second part of the questionnaire requires respondents to assess themselves

objectively and their degree of their preference to a particular behavior or characteristics

on the causes and consequences of motorcycle accidents.

 21

Research Locale

The research will be conducted within the city of Santiago City, province of

Isabela with respondents riding single motorcycle and residents of Santiago City. The

respondents would also need to have been involved in one or more motorcycle accident.
 22

Plans for Data Analysis

The researcher will use statistical measures to properly conduct a scientific

presentation, analysis and interpretation of the data gathered frequency and percentage

count will be used. Stated below is the formula for frequency and percentage count:

P=_______________ * 100

Where:

P = Percentage

F = Frequency

N = Total number of respondents

100 = Constant for percentage

As to evaluate the causes and consequences of motorcycle accidents the

respondents and their perception was subjected to the Five-point Likert Scale.

The points, range and descriptive (qualitative) interpretation used in this study

were as follows:

POINTS RANGE Interpretation

5 4.21-5.0 Always

4 3.41-4.20 Often

3 2.61-3.40 Occasionally

2 1.81-2.60 Rarely

1 1.00-1.80 Never
 23

The formula used to compute Weighed Mean is as follows:

fx

X = ------------------

Where:

X = Mean

fx = Sum of the product of the scores

N= Total number of Score

 24

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Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social

behavior.

Astalin, P. K. (2013). Qualitative research designs: a conceptual framework. International

journal of social science & interdisciplinary research, 2(1).

Attarzadeh, I., & Ow, S. H. (2008). Project management practices: the criteria for success

or failure. Communications of the IBIMA, 1, 234-241.

Baghiani, M. M., Halvany, G. H., & Ehrampoush, M. H. (2006). A survey on personality

of motor cycle riders involved in accidents.

Bandura, A. (1976). Social learning theory.

Baughan, C. J., Broughton, J., Chinn, B., Grayson, G. B., Knowles, J., Smith, L. R.,

& Simpson, H (2003). Motorcycle safety: a scoping study. Crowthorne,,

England: TRL Limited.

Benegal, V., Nayak, M., Murthy, P., Chandra, P., Gururaj, G., Obot, I. S., & Room, R.

(2005). Women and alcohol use in India. Alcohol, gender and drinking problems:

Perspectives from low and middle income countries, 89-123.

Biernacki, P., & Waldorf, D. (1981). Snowball sampling: Problems and techniques of

chain referral sampling. Sociological methods & research, 10(2), 141-163.

 25

Boone, L., & Kurtz, D. (2013). Contemporary marketing. Cengage Learning.

Cabreza, V. (2011) Rising fuel costs lead to motorcycle boom in PH. Retrieved from:

http://business.inquirer.net/206 3/rising-fuel-costs-lead-to- motorcycle-boom-in-

ph#ixzz42L0k3pkv Chandler, S. (2015) Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle

Accident. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/articl e/182177-common-

injuries- caused-by-motorcycle-accidents/ 

Chang, L. Y. (2005). Empirical analysis of the effectiveness of mandated motorcycle

helmet use in Taiwan. Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation

Studies, 6, 3629-3644.

Coleman, J. S., & Fararo, T. J. (1992). Rational choice theory. Nueva York: Sage.

Crabtree, B. F., & Miller, W. L. (Eds.). (1999). Doing qualitative research. Sage

Publications.

Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and mixed methods

approaches. Drinking Behavior, Older drivers, Simulation, User Info System and

Visualization. Journal of the JR Board, no. 1980; Washington DC. 2006

Dogan, A., Korkmaz, G., Liu, Y., Ozguner, U., Redmill, K., Takeshita, O., & Tokuda, K.

(2004) . Evaluation of intersection collision warning system using an inter-vehicle

communication simulator. IEEE Intelligent Transport System Conference,

Washington DC, USA

Flores, G. M. T., Gotohio, M. P. T., Paras, N. G. C., & Seva, R. R. (2009). Analysis

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 26

Frith, WJ., Strachan, G. & Patterson, T. (2005) . 'Road safety implications of

excessive and inappropriate speed', in Austroads, Australasian road safety

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 27

Date:

MEYNARD R. SIBAYAN
Principal, Senior High School Department
SISTECH, Villasis, Santiago City

To whom it may concern:

A Christian Greeting to your good office.

I Jerwin Earl C. Maghirang, the undersigned student will be conducting a study titled
“M O T O R C Y C L E ACCIDENTS, CAUSES AND
C O N S E Q U E N C E S : A N A S S E S S M E N T ” is humbly appealing from your
good office to let me conduct my study and be able to observe and float questionnaire
outside the school to individuals who have been involved in motorcycle accidents in
Santiago City.

I am hoping for your consideration and positive response regarding this matter.

Thank you and more power!

Very respectfully yours,

JERWIN EARL C. MAGHIRANG

Endorsed by:

JAYZLLE D. EBREO
Adviser

Approved by:

MEYNARD R. SIBAYAN
Principal, Senior High School Department
SISTECH, Villasis, Santiago City
 28

QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME OF RESPONDENT: _______________________________

AGE:
[ ] 20 – 30 years old [ ] 31-40 years old [ ] 41 years old and above
CIVIL STATUS:
SEX: MALE _______ FEMALE __________
Number of Motorcycle accidents encountered:
DIRECTION: Use the scale of 1-5 to indicate your response to the following statements
are indicative of your preferences. Check your preferences.

NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES OFTEN ALWAYS

1 2 3 4 5

Proper Standards/Criteria

Proper Standards/Criteria 1 2 3 4 5
No Driver’s License
Expired Driver’s License
No Certificate of Registration of Motor Vehicle
Expired Registration of Motor Vehicle

Protective Gears

Protective Gears 1 2 3 4 5
Not Wearing Helmet
Improperly dressed

Traffic Signs and Signals

Traffic Signs and Signals 1 2 3 4 5

Parking in a no parking zone
Not following detour signs
Entering prohibited streets
U Turn

Traffic flow

Traffic Flow 1 2 3 4 5
Counter flowing
Entering one way streets
 29

Enumerate common motorcycle accidents caused by traffic violations committed by

motorcycle riders:

State measures to be undertaken to reduce the occurrence of motorcycle accidents

within the city of Santiago: