A Case Study On The Causal Of Motorcycle Accidents Among Polytechnic S Students

Asia Pacific Symposium on Advancements in Ergonomics and Safety (ERGOSYM2011)
5-6 December 2011, Perlis, Malaysia
A case study on the causal of motorcycle
accidents among polytechnic’s students
Noranizah Md Zainudin1
, Zulhisyam Salleh2
and Koo Kean Eng3
1
Mathematic, Science & Computer Department, Politeknik Melaka, Plaza Pandan Malim, 75250 Melaka, Malaysia.
2
Electrical Department, Politeknik Melaka, Plaza Pandan Malim, 75250 Melaka, Malaysia.
3
University Sains Malaysia.
Email: zulhisyam@polimelaka.edu.my
Abstract
The motorcyclists are always in a very vulnerable position on the road. The common causes of
motorcycle accidents are the motorists unable to identify by seeing and recognizing motorcycles
on the road. This study uses specific causes of motorcycles accidents; which are road user errors,
road environment and vehicle defects and these specific causes are identified as the common
causes domains of the motorcycle accident. A model of accidents risk for motorcyclists was
developed to test the correlation between motorcyclist characteristics, vehicle factors and
environment factors root to the motorcycle accidents. The causes of the motorcycles accidents
can be individually caused or the combinations of these three basic factors. Therefore, this study
is attempted to use these three factors to determine the causal of motorcycle accidents among
students in one of the polytechnics in northern region. This was done by analyzing survey-based
data sets obtained from samples of 195 students in the polytechnic. The Pearson Correlation was
used to measure the association between the variables (factors) and to test the research
hypothesis. The result of the study demonstrates that there was a significant positive correlation
between motorcycle accident and motorcyclist characteristic. Furthermore, the analysis had also
shown a strongly correlated between motorcycle accidents with vehicle factor. With regards to
relationship between motorcycle accidents and environment factors, the survey findings shows
that the motorcycle accident was strongly positive correlated with environment factor. Based on
the survey findings, the results of a positively significant relationship between motorcyclist
characteristics, vehicle factor and environment factor have indicated that these factors are
contributing factors to the motorcycle accidents among students.
Keywords: Accident, Motorcyclist, Characteristic, Vehicle, Environment
1. Introduction
The motorcycle is an essential form of transportation throughout much of Asia. There is
an exponential growth in motorcycle use in Malaysia, China, Vietnam and other Asian countries
which are resulted from new emerging economies, increased urbanization, the development of
infrastructure and personal wealth. In Malaysia, the motorcycle population has increased from
1,929,978 in 1987 to 7,458,128 in 2006 (PDRM, 2007). As one might expect, motorcycle
crashes have also increased from 25,074 in 1987 to 136,034 in 2006.

According to a study by the Road Safety Research Centre of University Putra Malaysia,
motorcyclist constitute about 55 to 57 percent of total number of road accidents and 60 percent
of traffic fatalities in Malaysia [10]. It have also been noted that motorcyclist’s risk of injury is
estimated to be 20 times higher than car user and it had causes an increase in fatalities of
motorcyclists and pillion riders; which currently is in a steadily increasing trend.
A National Road Safety Plan (NRSP) was formulated to focus on road safety research
programs, behavioral modification of road users, road engineering and vehicle safety, medical
treatment and safety administration. A part from NRSP, on 15 May 2006, the Prime Minister has
launched the Malaysia Road Safety Plan 2006-2010; which uses 9 strategies and 52 programs to
cover all aspects of road safety [2].
The government has adapted the 3E’s concept i.e., Education, Engineering and
Enforcement to educate and create awareness among motorcyclists. 3E is used to explain the
chain reaction of the accident occurrence where it rarely involves only on a single thing or
person as a sole cause of accident. Generally, accident causes can be a combination of either
these three basic factors; which are road user errors, road environment faults or vehicle defects,
[9] and it is suggested that motorcycles accident too share the elements identified. Thus, the main
part of study is to carry out a survey of motorcyclist of among students at polytechnic in Jitra.
The study focused on the relationship between motorcycle accidents and three related causes
which are (a) motorcyclist characteristic, (b) vehicle factors and (c) environment factors.
According to Polytechnic Jitra accident statistics (Table 1.1), from 2003 until July 2005,
there were 143 accidents that involved motorcycle user.
Table 1.1: Polytechnic in Jitra accident statistics
Year Motorcycle Accident Total
Minor Major Fatality
2003 25 3 2 30
2004 18 9 5 32
2005 17 7 3 27
2006 18 5 3 26
2007 24 3 3 30
Source: POLIMAS Student Academic Affair
The finding to this research will identify the influencing factors among students’
motorcycle accident, explain trends in high accident numbers related to motorcycle and to
identify the priorities for remedial countermeasure. The findings will also contribute to the
management team of the Polytechnic to curb the weaknesses and enhance the effective programs
for the students to decrease the motorcycles accidents rates.

2. Methodology
The theoretical framework of this study is illustrated in Figure 1. The framework
describes the relationship between motorcyclist characteristics, vehicle factors and
environmental factors towards Motorcycles accidents. The primary variable of interest in the
study is motorcycle accidents as the dependent variable. The model suggests that vehicle factors,
environmental factors and motorcyclist characteristics are independent variable or factors that
have relationship towards motorcycle accidents.
Figure 1: Research Framework for Motorcycle Accidents
For design of this research, a descriptive study and cross-sectional design were chosen.
The descriptive study is a non experimental research design where the researcher typically
attempts to relate one variable to another or associate them rather than manipulating those [6].
A cross-sectional research design is a research method; which groups of participants
consists of different chronological ages and these groups will be observed and compared at a
given time. Essentially, data are collected from the research participants at a single point in time
or during a single, relatively brief time period. The advantage of cross-sectional research is more
economical, with respect to time and cost, than other design. For the participant, there is only one
period of data collection. The inability to direct assess intra-individual change is a significant
disadvantage of cross-sectional design. This study was conducted with data being gathered just
once in order to answer research questions.
Quantitative approach is a process involves the gathering and analysis of numerical data
and relies on numerical evidence to draw conclusion or to test the hypothesis [14]. In quantitative
research, the researcher tries to determine the relationship between one variable and another
variable [6]. In this study, the quantitative research was used due to objective of the study. The
objectives of this study to examine the causal of motorcycle accidents among students and it can
be defined as the process of quantify the motorcyclist characteristics, vehicle factors and
environment factors using numerical data. Therefore, hypothesis testing was performed to test
the existence of the projected relationships

The target population is the student of Polytechnic in Jitra where the total population is
over 5300 of students and 500 employees. The sampling frame in this study consists of students;
which their motorcycles are registered to Students Affairs Department.
After the population for the study has been determined, a sampling procedure was
performed to determine the sample size. Sampling frame is a list of elements from which the
sample is actually drawn [3]. For the purpose of this study, there are two steps that have been
taken to determine the sample size, firstly, by using stratified random sampling. The process by
which the sample is constrained to include elements from each of the segment is called stratified
random sampling [3]. All students in this polytechnic were divided into non-overlapping
subpopulation on their course taken. Secondly, the number of students for each course was
determined through non-proportionate stratified random sampling. It is done by dividing the
number of course in each department with the total classes of engineering in the polytechnic,
(refer Figure 2).
Figure 2: Sampling Procedures of the Research
The questionnaires were designed to obtain data from the students of the polytechnic
whom are riders of motorcycle. The questionnaire is divided into six main sections. The first
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section consists of the samples' information and experiences. The second section was about
students’ perception when accident happened. The third section was on vehicle factor and the
fourth section focuses on environment factors. The fifth section focuses on motorcyclist
characteristics. For section three until section five, the Likert scales were used and respondents
were asked to circle the number that best describe their answer: (1) Strongly Disagree, (2)
Disagree, (3) Neither Disagree nor Agree, (4) Agree and (5) Strongly Agree. In the section six,
respondents were asked about their personel background.
3. Analysis
All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Personel
Computer Version (SPSS Version 13.0). Appropriate statistical procedures for description
(frequencies, percent, means, standard deviations and Pearson Correlation) were used.
4. Results
A total of 121 respondents were male (62.1%) and 74 respondents (37.94%) were female.
Table 1 below summarizes an overall picture of respondent’s demographic profile.
Table 1: Summarize an overall picture of respondent’s demographic profile (n=195 students)
Item Frequency Percent (%)
Gender
Male 121 62.1
Female 74 37.9
Age (years)
17-19 66 33.8
20-22 92 47.2
23-25 37 19
Level of Studies
Certificate 93 47.7
Diploma 102 52.3
Start Riding Motorcycle (years)
10-12 years 17 8.7
13-15 years 43 22.1
16-18 years 89 45.6
19-21 years 37 19.0
21 years and above 9 4.6
Motorcycle License Status
L 18 9.2
P 68 34.9
Confirm 109 55.9
Kilometers Ridden (km)
4000 54 27.7

-
4001-8000 75 38.5
8002-12000 48 24.6
12001-16000 13 6.7
16001-20000 5 2.6
Engine Size (cc)
100 23 11.8
110 84 43.1
120 27 13.8
125 28 14.4
135 32 16.4
150 1 0.5
4.1 Motorcycle Accident
Section II of questionnaires is used to gathered respondents perception on what happened
first in accidents. The statement “Your vehicle collided with a roadside object” had scored the
highest mean rating of 4.16 with percentage of agreed and strongly agreed responses are 59%
and 29.7%. Therefore, 88.7% of respondents agreed that colliding with roadside object can cause
accidents. “Another vehicle collided with the rear or side of your vehicle” also showed high
mean rating 4.12 with high percentage of responses for agree (56.4%) and strongly agree
(28.2%). The statement “Your vehicle collided with a pedestrian” had the lowest mean rating
3.26 with 30.3 of respondents agreed and only 13.3 respondents strongly agreed.
4.2 Perception on Vehicle Factor
This section of the questionnaire shows the perception on vehicle factors related to the
vehicle involved in the accident. The item of headlamp off has scored the highest mean rating
4.31 with 46.2% of respondents agreed and 43.1% strongly agreed that headlamp off is one of
the factors can cause accident. Modification of motorcycle can contribute to accidents on road
was scored the lowest mean rating with 3.86, only 66.6% respondent agreed and strongly agreed.
4.3 Perception on Environment Factor
In this section the item “An automobile turns left in front of the oncoming motorcycle,
can cause the motorcyclist over-brakes, slides out and falls to the roadway” had scored the
highest mean rating 4.45 with 56.4% respondents strongly agreed and 32.3% were agreed.
However, the statement of “The pedestrian made some unsafe act, darting move into the path of
the motorcycle” had scored the lowest mean rating 3.97 with 52.3% of respondents agreed and
23.1% strongly agreed.
4.4 Perception on Motorcyclist Characteristic
Section V of questionnaires gathers the respondents’ perception on motorcyclist
characteristics. Items of “Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the
throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds.
At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning” and “Carrying a
passenger complicates a motorcyclist’s task. Maneuverability is reduced” had scored the same
mean rating 4.02 with percentage of agree and strongly agree for both items are 50.8% and for
strongly agree were 28.2% and 27.7%.

'
4.5 Testing the Hypothesis
Table 2 shows the research hypothesis of the survey and relationship between the
independent variable that exist i.e. motorcyclist characteristic, vehicle factors and environment
factors.
Table 2: Research Hypothesis
H Research Hypothesis
H1 Motorcyclist characteristic can cause motorcycle accident
H2 Vehicle factor will increase influence to the vulnerable position
H3 There is relationship between environment factors towards motorcycle accident
Hypothesis H1 is tested for a significant correlation between motorcyclist characteristic
and motorcycle accident, thus a Pearson Correlation test was performed to test the direction and
strength or any linear relationship between correlation coefficient along with its p-value. Table 3
shows the result of Pearson Correlation between Motorcyclist Characteristic and Motorcycle
Accident (n = 195 students). The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.201 and the p-value was 0.005.
Since the average score is p<0.01, hypothesis H1 is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected.
It can be conclude that, the Pearson Correlation proved that there is a significant relationship
between motorcyclist characteristic and motorcycle accident.
Table 3: Result of Pearson Correlation between Motorcyclist Characteristic and Motorcycle
Accident (n = 195 students)
Variable Descriptive Statistics Correlation
Mean Std. Deviation
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Accident 3.767 .625
.201 (**) .005
Motorcyclist
Characteristic
3.895 .696
** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed)
Hypothesis H2 is tested for a significant correlation between vehicle factor and
motorcycle accident. Table 4 below shows the result of Pearson Correlation between vehicle
factor and motorcycle accident (n = 195 students). The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.645 and
the p-value was 0.00. The results show that vehicle factor is positively correlated with
motorcycle accident. Since the average score is p<0.01, hypothesis H2 is accepted and the null
hypothesis is rejected.

1
Table 4: Result of Pearson Correlation between Vehicle Factor and Motorcycle Accident (n =
195 students)
Mean Std. Deviation
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Accident 3.767 .625
.645(**) .000
Vehicle Factor 4.075 .537
Hypothesis H3 is tested for significant correlation between environment factor and
motorcycle accident. Table 5 below show the result of Pearson Correlation between environment
factor and motorcycle accident (n = 195 students). The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.308 and
the p-value was 0.000. The results show that the environment factor is positively correlates with
motorcycle accident at 0.00 coefficient level. Since the average score is lower than 0.01
(p<0.01), hypothesis H3 is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected.
Table 5: Result of Pearson Correlation between Environment Factor and Motorcycle Accident (n
= 195 students)
Mean Std. Deviation
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Accident 3.767 .625
.308(**) .000
Environment 4.211 .615
It can be concluding that the Pearson Correlation proved that there is a significant
relationship between motorcycle accident and environment factor. A positive correlation means
that as the environment factors that contribute to accident increase, the probability of accident
occurring also increase. Conversely, as the environment factors that contribute to accident
decrease, probability of accident happen also decrease.
5. Discussion
With regards to relationship between motorcycle accident and motorcyclist characteristic,
the Pearson Correlation found that there was significantly positive correlation between the two, 2
variable (r = 0.201). The finding shown those motorcyclists tend to ride the motorcycle at risk. In
other words, motorcyclists with higher risk characteristic are more likely involved in motorcycle
accident. From the previous literature, it is found that motorcycles tend to have much higher
power-to-weight ratios than cars and increasing numbers of motorcycles are capable of very high
speeds and accelerations. In addition, being a single track vehicle, a motorcycle can easily
become unstable and capsize if during braking, accelerating or slippery road surfaces cause a
wheel to lose adhesion. This is particularly critical if the machine is leaning position in order to
take turning at a bend. Braking can also cause a motorcycle to change its line to a side while on a

$
curve road. Such situation would develop a vulnerable position for motorcyclists if they intend to
take bends too fast, and there are sudden changes in road surface or conditions.
Another objective of this study was to examine the relationship between motorcycle
accident and vehicle factor. From the result, it has found that the motorcycle accident is strongly
correlated with vehicle factor, (r = 0.645). Headlamp off is one of the main factors of
motorcyclists’ accidents with 89.3 percent of the respondents rank the answer as agreed and
strongly agreed. The finding was supported by [7], which was found that vehicle failure was the
principal factor in accidents.
With regard to relationship between motorcycle accidents and environment factors, the
finding of the study shows that the motorcycle accident was strongly positive correlated with
environment factor, (r = 0.308). This has indicated that if the higher degree of hazards appeared
within the environment, it will develop a higher possibility of the motorcycle accidents
happenings among the students. The finding was supported by [7] and found the road surface
have contributed 15 percent to the occurrence of the motorcycles accidents. Being two wheelers,
motorcyclists are more susceptible to difficulties and hazards created by the design, construction,
maintenance and surface condition of roads. They are vulnerable towards changes in the level of
friction of road surfaces, pot holes, uneven surfaces and poor repairs to the surface, spillages,
drain cover and debris.
6. Conclusion
In Polytechnic, motorcycling is an important and popular mode of transport for students,
which has some environmental advantages over other forms of motorized transportation, as well
as other advantages such as flexible journey and sometimes more efficient use of road and
parking space. Unfortunately, it is also associated with a significant accident and casualty risk.
With regards to the research finding, there is positively significant relationship between
motorcyclist characteristic, vehicle factor and environmental factor that contributes to the
motorcycle accidents.
7. Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by Politeknik Melaka
(PMK). We also would like to express our deep appreciation to the Politeknik Sultan Abdul
Halim Mu’adzam Shah (POLIMAS) for their willingness to participate in the study. Last but not
least, we would like to extend our thanks to all our friends and family members for their support.
8. References
[1] Bala Karthik (2000) Regression (on-line) Available. Retrieved Jan 26, 2008
http://www.isixsigma.com/dictionary/Regression-27.htm
[2] BERNAMA.2006, Abdullah Lancar Pelan Lima Tahun Keselamatan Jalan Raya, 15Mei.
Retrieved Aug 26, 2007, from http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/index.php
[3] Cooper, D.R, Schindler, P.S (2006) Business Research Methods -9th edition United State
of America McGraw Hill/Irwin
[4] Chesham, D.J, Rutter, D.R. and Quine, L.1993. Motorcycling safety research: A review

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of the social and behavioural literature. Social Science and Medicine, 37 (3), 419–429.
[5] Clarke, D.D., Ward, P. J., Bartle, C. and Truman, W. A. (2004), Road Safety Research
Report No. 54: In-depth Study of Motorcycle.
[6] Hopkins, W.G. (2000). Quantitative Research Design (on-line). Available Retrieved Jan
26, 2008 http://www.sportsci.org/jour/001/wghdesign.html
[7] Hurt, H.H., Ouellet, J.V. and Thom, D.R. (1981) Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and
Identification of Countermeasures, Volume 1: Technical Report. Traffic Safety Center,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90007, Contract No. DOT
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[8] Mannering, F.L. and Grodsky, L.L. (1995) Statistical Analysis of Motorcyclists
Perceived Accident Risk. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 27(1), 21–31.
[9] Mohamad Nizam Mustafa, 2006. Overview of Current Road Safety Situation in
Malaysia, Highway Planning Unit Road Safety Section Ministry of Works, Malaysia.
[10] Radin Umar, R.S, Mackay, G.M and Hill, B.L.1995. Preliminary Analysis of Motorcycle
Accidents: Short Term Impact of the Running Headlights Campaign and Regulation,
Journal of Traffic Medicine, Vol 23, p17- 28, United Kingdom.
[11] Saffron, David (1992) „Driver Attitudes, Motivation and Behaviour in Proceedings of a
Seminar on The Place of the Driver in Road Safety presented by the University of
Newcastle and the NRMA
[12] Sun, S.W., Kahn, D.M. and Swan, K.G(1999). Lowering the legal blood alcohol level for
motorcyclists. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30 (1), 133–136.
[13] Sunderstrom, C.A., Dischinger, P.C., Kerns, T.J. and Trifillis, A.C. (1999) Marijuana and
other drug use among automobile and motorcycle drivers treated at a trauma centre.
Accident Analysis and Prevention, 30 (1), 182–185
[14] Veal, A.J (2005). Business Research Methods A managerial Approach 2nd
Edition
Australia, Pearson Education Australia

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