Perception of safety issues related to the operation of motorcycle taxi services in Cartagena, Colombia

Abstract

We aim to study the safety issues related to motorcycle informal taxi services in Cartagena. We also aim to understand the motorcycle-operators view of these issues in relation to the risk of getting injured. Data related to safety issues and traffic injuries was obtained from a unique dataset gathered by implementing a structured survey intended to follow the designs suggested by the International Labor Organization, the World Health Organization and the academic literature. We surveyed 403 motorcycle taxi operators in Cartagena, assuming an infinite population, a 95% confidence interval and a sample error of 4,9%. The results show that providing motorcycle taxi services leaves its operators permanently exposed to high levels of environmental, physical, and psychological safety issues. Another result was that a large percentage of them are aware that operating motorcycles represents a large risk, in addition to leaving them exposed to sustaining traffic accidents; nonetheless, they feel compelled to stay at the occupation, as there are insufficient job alternatives available to them.