1

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

This study attempts to explore tourist’s perceptions and awareness regarding road
safety and investigate
underlying factors that could affect tourist’s comprehension of local road signs in
Thailand. Essentially, three main
research questions are sought:

• What is the current level of perceptions and awareness of road safety from
tourist’s perspectives? Are there any
differences in perceptions across different tourist’s segmentation?
• How well do international tourists understand local road signs? What are the
underlying factors affecting the
comprehension of road signs?
• What recommendation can be provided to make roads safer for international
tourists?
Tricycle drivers might drive in strange places, misunderstand and misinterpret

traffic signs, or even break local traffic regulations while they are in a different setting.

Traffic signs play a vital role for every motorist. These are the most used as visual aids

for drivers to know what are prohibited and what are allowed along a certain area. This

study aims to analyze underlying elements that may affect understanding of regional road

signs and explore how tricycle drivers perceive and are aware of road safety.

A case study in Thailand about “Road Safety Awareness and Comprehension of

Road Signs from International Tourist’s Perspective” (Choocharakul & Sriroongvikri,

2017) wherein 1,091 overseas visitors were given a survey questionnaire. Based on the

findings, travelers from various origins showed varying degrees of perception and

understanding of road safety. Additionally, respondents could only partially grasp road

signs; for example, text traffic signals like the yield sign and stop sign appeared to be

challenging to comprehend from the views of tourists.

 2

One of the top causes of death worldwide is traffic accidents, 25,047 persons lost

their lives on EU roads in 2018 alone, according to the statistics. Despite the fact that

road safety is getting better in the majority of European nations, the improvement is still

gradual and out of step with defined goals. The dynamic and complex character of road

traffic is partly to blame for this glacial improvement, because safety performance

depends on a variety of interrelated elements relating to the environment of the route, the

vehicle, and the users of the road. Drivers have historically been blamed for a large

portion of traffic accidents because of their tendency for error, even if environmental

circumstances frequently play a part.

The vehicle itself, along with road factors, can create driver mistake, which is the

main cause of the accident. As a result, current road safety plans clearly identify between

the variables that actually cause road accidents (such as road users, environmental

factors, road-related factors, etc.) and concentrate on a multidisciplinary and all-

encompassing strategy to solve this issue. Such a strategy aims to simultaneously take

proactive action to improve road infrastructure, superstructure, car safety systems, law,

and road user behavior. The idea of "self-explaining roads," which was first applied in the

Netherlands, is one of the contemporary ideas in relation to road infrastructure since it

encourages motorists to unconsciously adopt a behavior consistent with the road design.

The idea attempts to use multiple methods, including the most economical ones

connected to road markings and road signs, to provide information about the impending

scenario to the drivers in a simple and intuitive way.

 3

Overall, their further development and expanded use in the mid-1960s prompted

academic activities focused on a variety of issues such as impact of road markings on

driver behavior and road safety, visibility of road markings, road markings material

selection, implementation of road marking, their environmental impact and acoustic

properties, and monitoring and maintenance of road markings.

The most common visual aids used to convey information about traffic laws and

regulations, functioning as a reminder, guide, or warning, are traffic signs. A well-

designed traffic sign is one that satisfies a specific requirement, attracts the attention of

the road user, and communicates a clear message in a clear and simple manner, providing

the user. According to Kraft et al., users should be able to understand the proper

information precisely and effectively when seeing traffic signs in order to prevent

conflicts or accidents in a dynamic traffic environment. Road safety experts believe that

reading traffic signs correctly is crucial, and that failure to do so could result in more

serious problems.

In addition to road safety, pedestrian safety is growing in importance due to

pedestrians' lack of protection. Despite the fact that vehicles and walkers typically use the

same route, pedestrian safety is frequently given less attention than driver safety and

vehicle maneuverability. As a result, collisions can cause serious injuries or even death to

pedestrians. In order to boost traffic sign comprehension, it is necessary to promote road

and pedestrian safety through efficient communication of traffic sign messages.

One significant group of drivers on the road around the world is motorcyclists.

Motorcycles are a common mode of transportation in many low- and middle-income

 4

countries (LMIC). For instance, motorized two-wheelers make up 69% of all motor

vehicles in India. More than 67 million motorbikes were predicted to be registered in

China in 2004. In Vietnam, the number of motorcycles has increased from 500,000 to

10,000,00 in the last ten years. Commercial motorcycles are by far the most popular type

of informal transportation in Nigeria and one of the main sources of transportation. In the

last several years, the use of motorbikes for commercial purposes has dramatically

increased in most Nigerian towns and rural regions. For example, as of 2008, there were

over 120,000 motorcycle owners in Akwa, Ibom State alone, which is just one of

Nigeria's 36 states.

When compared to other road user groups, motorcycle riders have a particularly

bad safety record, making them an important group to target for reducing traffic injuries.

Motorcyclists are also among the most vulnerable road users. In the UK, their fatality rate

per million vehicle kilometers is more than 16 times higher than that of automobile

drivers and passengers. It is around double that of pedal cyclists. According to reports,

motorized two-wheeler riders accounted for between 70 and 90 percent of road fatalities

in Thailand and 60 percent in Malaysia.

Accidents involving vehicles on the road happen everywhere. Every day,

thousands of people died in traffic accidents. Nigeria has a high rate of traffic accidents.

Between January and December 2012, there were 204 traffic accidents in Jos, Plateau

State, that resulted in a total of 68 fatalities. Some of these collisions were caused by

drivers who disregarded traffic rules and signage. In addition, data from the Federal Road

Safety Commission (FRSC) showed that 13 persons die on Nigerian roads each day on

average (FRSC, 2012).

 5

Nigeria is seeing a rapid rise in motorization, similar to many other countries

throughout the world, without having sufficient road traffic signs and safety procedures

in place to stop the rising number of accidents and casualties. Road signs are either absent

altogether or not posted prominently in many towns. RTA would be less likely to develop

if primary prevention focused on reducing risk factors for non-communicable diseases

was implemented. Secondary school kids are a susceptible population that this study

focuses on because they are not yet at risk of endangering RTA’s as human factors

because they are underage. In addition to assisting decision- and policy-making in that

direction, studies on road sign knowledge and road safety would promote the

implementation of road safety measures at the regional or national levels. Therefore, this

study was conducted to evaluate secondary school students in Jos, Nigeria's knowledge of

road signs and attitudes toward safety precautions.

According to the Federal Road Safety Commission of Nigeria's updated highway

code, there is an 8:10 chance that a motorbike collision will cause fatality or extremely

serious injuries. In-depth research conducted in London found that disobeying traffic

signs was one of the risk-taking behaviors observed among motorcycle riders, putting the

rider and other road users in danger. Commercial motorcycle riders in Nigeria have been

seen to pay minimal regard to traffic laws, which results in accidents affecting other road

users. Only 28.5% of motorcycle riders in western Nigeria's urban town of Ondo who

performed well on the road safety practice observation scale could be deemed safe,

according to the study. Without any prior training in motorcycle riding or road safety

considerations, many men are quitting their low-paying occupations and switching over
 6

to become commercial riders overnight, jeopardizing both themselves and other road

users.

According to research done on motorcycle riders in Benin, Nigeria, 448 out of

996 (or 45%) of the participants received no training whatsoever before they started

riding. Unfortunately, the increased use of motorcycles has also increased the number of

unsafe driving behaviors, which has increased the number of accidents on Nigerian roads.

Motorcycle riders frequently disregard safety precautions, which raises their risk of

collisions with other road users with whom they share the same traffic area. It should

come as no surprise that various studies have found a range of 27.2- 60% for the

incidence of injuries among Nigerian motorcycle riders.

The outcomes of statistical modeling point to a number of important variables

influencing the comprehension of traffic signs. Almost the same study was conducted in

the City of Manila. Based on the study (Understanding of Traffic signs by Drivers in the

city of Manila, Philippines, Fernandez, Paringit, et al., 2020 September 15), with relation

to respondent age, driver's license possession, driving experience in foreign nations, and

nationality are all significant socioeconomic variables. Trip duration, trip objective,

method of conveyance, and frequency of visit, on the other hand, are major travel

characteristic variables.
 7

Theoretical Framework

The precise nature of behavioral adaptation, including its causes and effects, has

not yet been established within the road safety community, despite the fact that it is an

acknowledged concept in traffic and transport psychology. Behavioral Adaptability and

Road Safety: Theory, Evidence, and Action is an extensive compilation of contemporary

work that examines road users' behavioral adaptability. It explores behavioral adaptation

from historical and theoretical vantage points and offers concrete, double methods that

can stop negative behavioral adaptation to road safety interventions before it happens.

INPUT OUTPUT
1. Profile of the A study on
respondent: the effect of
1.1 Age the level of
1.2 type of license knowledge of
2. How Tricycle
knowledgeable are Drivers in
the respondents Tarlac City
about: regarding
2.1 Road Sign Road Signs
2.1 Road Notices and Notices
2.3 Road Markings in
3. What are the maintaining
Challenges that Safety in
can affect driving? driving
3.1 Bad weather
3.2 Aggressive
behavior
3.3 Heavy traffic
 8

PROCESS
1. Survey
questionnaires
2. Questionnaires
was administered
personally

Figure 1: Research Paradigm

The researcher aimed to determine the knowledge of the tricycle drivers in Tarlac

City regarding road signs and notices and its impact on maintaining safety in driving. In

this study, the researcher focuses on the assessment of the respondents engaged on the

impact of their safety driving base on their knowledge on the road signs and notices and it

was drawn based on the findings. The research paradigm of the study is shown in Figure

1.

Definition of Terms
 9

Awareness - the state of being conscious or the quality of being perceptually

knowledgeable. It is also the ability to perceive, feel, know, or be cognizant of events.

Road marking - can be defined as lines, patterns, or words that are marked on the

pavement or road which is essential for guiding and controlling the traffic on highways

and also providing proper guidance to pedestrians.

Road sign - a sign near a road that has information for driver’s enter.

Road traffic safety- refers to methods and measures for reducing the risk of a

person using the road network for being killed or seriously injured.

Traffic offence - violation of traffic regulations, such as breaking the speed limit.

Statement Of the Problem

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of the present knowledge of

tricycle drivers in Tarlac City about the road signs and notices and how these affects.

1. Profile of the respondent:

1.1 Age

1.2 Type of License

2. How knowledgeable are the respondents about:

2.1 Road Signs

2.2 Road Notices

 10

2.3 Road Markings

3. What are the Challenges that can affect driving

3.1 Bad weather

3.2 Aggressive behavior

3.3 Heavy traffic

Significance of the Study

To the United Schools of Science and Technology. This study may help the

school to raise awareness on those students who drive with average knowledge on

road signs.

To the USST Criminology Instructors. This study may help the instructors

know what the solutions are to make their students learn more about the topics

that they are teaching specifically on the course traffic management and accident

investigation with driving.

To the Students. This study may know the importance of the instructors in the

way of teaching and about the subjects that the instructors teaching.

To the Future Researchers. This study also can gain significance as it may serve

this as their guidance to gather information. They can import their knowledge to

the students.
 11

CHAPTER 2

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter describes and discusses how the researchers will gather the necessary

data and information that will be used in the entire study. It describes who will be the

respondents and focus of the research. This also shows the procedure of data collection

and instruments used. These chapters also discuss the type of research, research method,

and the research locale where the study will be conducted.

Research Design
 12

The Quantitative research design was used in this study. It was used because this

method describes and interpret a certain object and situation. It this study, the researchers

assess the areas on the effect of the level of knowledge of Tricycle Drivers in Tarlac City

regarding Road Signs and Notices in maintaining Safety in driving through the structured

questionnaire.

Population and Locale of the Study

The research study be conducted at McArthur Hi-Way Corner Juan Luna Street,

Tarlac City. The researchers decided so perform the study in this street since their study

concerns with the A Study on the Effect of the Level of Knowledge of Tricycle Drivers in

Tarlac City regarding Road Signs and Notices in maintaining safety in driving. The

location is effective and efficient which makes it viable to the researchers.

Data Gathering Tools

The methodology for the study would involve a survey questionnaire that will be

conducted with the tricycle drivers around the City of Tarlac to assess their level of

knowledge and awareness on traffic signs and notices in maintaining a safe road both to

their co-drivers, passengers and pedestrians. The question will focus on measuring how

familiar drivers with road signs and if they follow each to maintain traffic orderliness and

prevent deaths and injuries resulting from undisciplined driving. The researcher will use

questions to evaluate how these drivers know and follow road and traffic signs.
 13

Data Gathering Procedure

The research proposal utilized- term survey technique. Short- term survey is

conducted when data are collected over a period of weeks, months, or even years but the

period should be less than five years.

The researchers were able to gather data upon distributing questionnaire that have

been approved by their adviser. The questionnaire was administered personally to the

tricycle drivers in Tarlac City who were the main respondents of the study. They were

briefly informed about the purpose of the research which is to know the the present

knowledge about the road signs and notices and how these affects. With the approval of

the research title, the researchers prepared a questionnaire that covers all specific

problems raised in this study.

For better comprehension of the research instrument, the questionnaire will be

distributed personally by the researchers to the tricycle drivers in Tarlac City that gave

responses depending situations they have. The researchers assured the respondent that

their answer will be held in full confidentiality and will be used for the sole purpose of

the research.

Treatment of Data

The researcher will also use statistical analysis to evaluate the results of the

interviews. The statistic on what level of awareness that emerge from the data analysis

will be used to answer the research questions. The researcher will also use a literature

review and correlated topics to determine prevailing data and studies related on the topic.

The results of the study will deliver understanding on how tricycle drivers around Tarlac
 14

City level of awareness on road signs will help to maintain an orderly traffic and safe

road for everyone.

Ethical Considerations

The research respondents will be made aware of the current study's voluntary

nature, their right to withdraw participation without penalty, the confidentiality of all

data, and the absence of risk and conflict of interest in order to guarantee that it will

adhere to standards and ethical considerations. More importantly, participants will be

informed that taking part in the study had no impact on their work output or standing in

the industry.

The gathered information will be kept on a password-protected PC and in a

Google Drive that is only accessible by the researcher. 

Following the conclusion of this study, all data will be kept secretly and

anonymously for six months before being deleted. Respondents would not be able to

identify survey data during any presentation or publication. 

The Results and Discussion section of this study will not specifically identify

respondents because the researchers are more interested in general quantitative statistics.

In order to return the favor for initiating, supporting, and enhancing the current

study's credibility, the researchers correctly cited all authors and organizations whose

literature and studies were utilized in it.

 15

REFERENCES

Adebimpe, W. O., Dabo, D., Osifo, J. A., Ibirongbe, D. O., Gbahabo, D., & Adesina, A.

(2019). Knowledge of Road Signs and Attitude to Safety Measures Among Public

Secondary School Students in Jos Nigeria.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338234963_Knowledge_of_Road_Signs

_and_Attitude_to_Safety_Measures_Among_Public_Secondary_School_Students

_in_Jos_Nigeria

AlleyDog.com (1998-2023). Awareness.

https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Awareness.

Choocharukul, K. & Sriroongrikrai, K. (December, 2017). Road Safety Awareness and

Comprehensionof Road Signs from International Tourist's Perspectives: A Case

Study of Thailand.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317418324_Road_Safety_Awareness_a

nd_Comprehension_of_Road_Signs_from_International_Tourist's_Perspectives_

A_Case_Study_of_Thailand.

Collins (2023, May 4). Traffic Offence.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/traffic-offence#:~:text=a

%20violation%20of%20traffic%20regulations,Collins%20English%20Dictionary.

Daily Civil (2023). Road Marking. https://dailycivil.com/types-of-road-marking/

 16

Fernandez, J. J., Paringit, M. C., Salvador, J. R., Lucero, P. I. (2020). Understanding of

Traffic Signs By Drivers in the City of Manila, Philippines.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352146520306001#:~:text=T

he%20survey%20was%20conducted%20among,correct%20responses%2C

%20was%2076.25%25.

Jothula, K. Y. and Sreeharshika, D. (2021, Jan 28). Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice

Toward Road Safety Regulations Among College Students in Telangana State.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7933689/

Merriam-Webster (2023, March 23).Road Sign.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/road%20sign.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (2020). Road

Traffic Safety. https://archive.unescwa.org/road-traffic-safety.

 17

Curriculum Vitae

Name : Angelica L. Andres.

Address : Purok Riverside Caanamongan,

Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac

Civil Status : Single

Age : 21

Date of Birth : November 7, 2001

Religion : Roman Catholic

Name of Father : Jay S. Andres

Name of Mother : Juliana L. Andres

Educational Attainment

Tertiary : United School of Science and Technology Colleges Inc.

Secondary : Carlos L. Albert High School

Elementary : Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School

 18

Curriculum Vitae

Name : Joanna Jane T. Bermudez

Address : New Salem Gerona Tarlac

Civil Status : Single

Age : 20

Date of Birth : November 30, 2002

Religion : Roman Catholic

Name of Father : Jerry P. Bermudez Sr.

Name of Mother : Helen Bermudez

Educational Attainment

Tertiary : United School of Science and Technology Colleges Inc.

Secondary : AMA Computer College

Elementary : New Salem Elementary School

 19

Curriculum Vitae

Name : James Van A. Naron

Address : Mangatarem, Pangasinan

Civil Status : Single

Age :22

Date of Birth : June 30,2000

Religion : Atheist/Cult

Name of Father : Jessie P. Naron

Name of Mother : Marissa C. Naron

Educational Attainment

Tertiary : United School Of Science And Technology

Secondary : Mangatarem National high school

Elementary : Mangatarem 1 central school

 20

Curriculum Vitae

Name : Jan Roby S. Timbang

Address : Balanoy, La Paz, Tarlac

Civil Status : Single

Age : 20

Date of Birth : July 28, 2002

Religion : IGLESIA NI CRISTO

Name of Father : Rogelio O. Timbang Jr.

Name of Mother : Janet S. Timbang

Educational attainment

Tertiary : United School Of Science And Technology

Secondary : Lapaz National Highschool

Elementary : Balanoy Elementary School

 21

Research, Extension and Development

Office

A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF TRICYLE

DRIVERS IN TARLAC CITY REGARDING ROAD SIGNS AND NOTICES IN
MAINTAINING SAFETY IN DRIVING

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of

United Schools of Science and Technology (USST) Colleges, Inc.
College of Criminal Justice Education
San Isidro, Tarlac City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Criminology

ANGELICA L. ANDRES
JOANNA JANE BERMUDEZ
JAMES VAN A. NARON
JAN ROBY S. TIMBANG

MAY 2023
 22

Research, Extension and Development

Office

APPROVAL SHEET

This study prepared and submitted by

ANGELICA L. ANDRES
JOANNA JANE BERMUDEZ
JAMES VAN A. NARON
JAN ROBY S. TIMBANG

entitled

A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF TRICYLE

DRIVERS IN TARLAC CITY REGARDING ROAD SIGNS AND NOTICES IN
MAINTAINING SAFETY IN DRIVING.

Has been examined and is hereby recommended for acceptance and approval for oral
examination.

ROSALIE DUPITAS, RCrim

Adviser

Approved by the Board of Oral Examination

DEAN RICARDO C. MARIANO, PhDCJ

Chairman

JOHN PAUL MARCELO, RCrim KATRINA T. DAYRIT, RCrim

Member Member

Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

Date of Oral Examination: MAY 12,2023