Three wheelers registered in Urban Council Panadura : charactoristics of the three wheeler drivers, running condition of three wheelers, road

Abstract

A pre tested interview administered questionnaire was used to collect data from drivers of TWs. The principal investigator with two trained interviewers collected the data. A check list was used by an expert in the Department of Motor Traffic to assess the running condition of the TWs. After obtaining ethical clearance and permission from the administrative bodies data collection was started. Total of 338 drivers of TWs in 32 TW stations were eligible for the 1 st and 3rd component of the study total eligible population was studied. 142 sub samples of TWs were assessed for the 2Ad component of the study. Among 338 drivers of the TWs majority (85.5 percent ) were middle aged males. 76.6 percent were married, (51 percent ) had studied up to grade 1 O. Ninety seven percent were professional drivers with a mean monthly income of Rs.7500 ±Rs.5, 850 by hiring the TW. Out of the total study population 66 percent were alcohol users 53.6 percent were smokers 5.6 percent were illicit drug users. Only 36.4 percent had regular physical activity and 96.7 percent engaged in some type of spiritual activity. A majority (58.9 percent ) preferred to be with family at leisure time and 25.1 percent preferred company of peers. Majority (99.4 percent ) possessed a valid driving license and were driving for I 0 year:s. 92.9 percent learnt driving TWs by themselves in less than 3 days and only 9.5 percent had formal learning, 42 percent had 6-10 years experience in driving TWs.