Evaluating the Crash Risk and Traffic Offenses of Motorized Two-Wheelers: A Study Specific to Food Delivery Riders

Food delivery riders (FDRs) rely on motorized two-wheelers that are innately unstable, resulting in safety risks. FDRs perform several traffic violations because of delivery time restrictions that result in concern for road safety. In this study, the available Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) is modified by considering the opinion of focus groups, to study the riding behavior of FDRs using a sample of 431 participants. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution loaded with 31 items. This research emphasizes that the risky behavior of FDRs is influenced by surrounding traffic and the road environment, in addition to their individual riding behavior. The self-reported crash, near crash, and traffic offenses data of FDRs showed a higher variance when compared with the mean (i.e., over-dispersed). Therefore, the relationship between the target variables—crash in past year, near crash in past year, and penalized traffic offenses in past year—and MRBQ factor scores were established using negative binomial regression analysis. Negative binomial regression analysis shows that the surrounding traffic factor has the highest incidence rate ratio, proving it to be the most significant predictor of crash risk for FDRs in addition to their own aberrant riding behavior. Based on this research, the enforcement of road safety policies can be effective in reducing aberrant riding behavior performed by FDRs such as traffic violation. The risky driving behavior of surrounding traffic can be properly dealt with by imposing hefty penalties and strict enforcement measures, and by spreading awareness.