RECKLESS DRIVING, TRANSPORT CRIME, AND PASSENGERS' SAFETY PERCEPTION IN COMMERCIAL TRICYCLE OPERATIONS IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated reckless driving, transport-related crime, and passengers' safety perception in commercial tricycle operations in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The growing dependence on tricycles as a dominant mode of intra-urban transportation in semi-urban communities has raised concerns regarding road safety and passenger security. A descriptive survey research design within a mixed-methods framework was adopted. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 362 valid responses were retrieved and analysed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings revealed a high prevalence of reckless driving behaviours among tricycle operators, including overspeeding, disobedience of traffic regulations, wrong parking, sudden stops, and dangerous overtaking (Grand Mean = 3.11). Transport-related crime was also evident, with respondents reporting incidents of theft, harassment, "one-chance" operations, and insecurity along certain routes (Grand Mean = 2.96). Passengers' safety perception was generally low (Grand Mean = 2.89), despite continued reliance on tricycles due to limited transportation alternatives. Inferential statistics showed significant relationships between reckless driving and safety perception (χ² = 24.56, p = 0.003) as well as between transport-related crime and safety perception (χ² = 21.34, p = 0.011). Correlation analysis further indicated strong negative relationships between reckless driving and safety perception (r = -0.71, p < 0.001) and between transport crime and safety perception (r = -0.68, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings supported these results, revealing that economic pressure, weak enforcement of traffic regulations, and route insecurity significantly contribute to unsafe driving behaviours and transport-related insecurity. The study concludes that reckless driving and transport-related crime are major determinants of passengers' safety perception in commercial tricycle operations. It recommends strengthened traffic enforcement, improved security surveillance, enhanced regulation of informal transport systems, and continuous driver training to improve safety outcomes and restore public confidence.