FLORENCIO L. VARGAS COLLEGE INC.

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

CHAPTER 1

Title: Drivers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Traffic Rules: Implications for Road

Safety Education.

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Road safety is an important issue worldwide. A key part of this topic is the awareness,

attitudes, and behaviors of drivers regarding traffic laws and regulations. Every nation

implements traffic laws to ensure the organized movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and most

importantly, to protect lives. However, even with these laws, road accidents and traffic violations

remain distressingly high due to human mistakes, carelessness, and a lack of awareness.

In the Philippines, the number of traffic-related incidents is still significant. Data from the

Philippine Statistics Authority (2024) shows that more than 60,000 road accidents were reported

in 2023. Many of these resulted from violations of traffic laws, careless driving, and drivers

ignoring or disregarding road signs. This not only leads to loss of lives and property but also

affects the nation’s economy and public health system.

In Tuguegarao City, careless driving and traffic violations are clearly common. Speeding,

ignoring pedestrian lanes, and parking too close to school zones are all actions that show a lack

of knowledge and compliance with traffic laws. There is an urgent need to assess and address

this issue at the community level, as seen in the rising number of minor collisions and complaints

from residents.
 FLORENCIO L. VARGAS COLLEGE INC.
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

The aim of this study is to evaluate drivers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding traffic

laws in Tuguegarao City. The objectives are to find information gaps, examine behavior patterns,

and suggest improvements to increase compliance with traffic safety regulations.

This study is important, especially as cities become more crowded and vulnerable to traffic

hazards. By understanding drivers' attitudes and practices, local government agencies and

schools can create targeted actions, such as awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement, and

community education programs.

We chose this study because I have seen the effects of careless driving in our city. It is

disheartening to witness avoidable accidents happen due to something as simple as ignoring a

traffic light. The World Health Organization (2023) estimates that over 90% of traffic fatalities

occur in low- and middle-income countries, mainly due to lax enforcement and poor public

awareness. This highlights the need to assess and improve drivers' understanding and application

of road safety measures.

In addition, a local ordinance noted that over the past three years, the number of road users in

Tuguegarao City tripled, leading to increased traffic congestion. This surge in road usage may

correlate with a rise in traffic incidents. Most cause of road traffic collisions in the city is drivers’

lack of awareness about traffic regulations and laws, and drivers’ failure to comply with traffic

rules and regulations. After a series of meetings and consultations by the local government unit

of the City, the Tuguegarao City Road Safety Code is City Ordinance No. 47-08-2019

"established to ensure the safety of all road including speed and load limit adherence, prohibition

of risky driving, regular road audits and maintenance, improved signage, and enhanced access

for vulnerable users like pedestrian and cyclists. The code mandates training for traffic enforcers

and barangay officials to respond to road incidents and aims to institutionalize safer road
 FLORENCIO L. VARGAS COLLEGE INC.
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

practices in the city" and in which later amended by Tuguegarao City enforces "No Helmet, No

Travel" policy which based on the National Republic Act 10054, also known as Motorcycle

Helmet Act. This policy requires all Motorcycle riders and passengers within the city to wear a

standard helmet while travelling. The policy has been in effect since July 1, 2019.

Recognizing the need to improve the road safety condition and considering the factors that

increases accidents in the city , this study aims to determine the Level of Knowledge of Road

Users their awareness, attitudes and behaviors of drivers regarding traffic laws and regulations in

the city.

Statement of the Problem

To examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of drivers regarding traffic rules and

regulations, and to identify implications for enhancing road safety education. Specifically, it aims

to answer the following sub-problems:

1. What is the extent of drivers’ knowledge regarding key traffic rules and regulations?

2. How do drivers perceive the importance of traffic rules and their enforcement?

3. What driving behaviors do drivers commonly exhibit in relation to traffic laws?

4. Is there a relationship between drivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and their actual driving

practices?

5. How do demographic factors influence drivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices?

5.1 Age

5.2 license type

5.3 Driving Experience

6. What gaps or misconceptions exist in drivers’ understanding and application of traffic rules?

7. What insights from drivers’ KAP can inform the design of more effective road safety

education programs?

Purpose of the Study

Hypotheses

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study benefit the following group/organization and individuals:

Drivers. They benefit from this study to further improve their compliance with traffic laws and

increase their driving knowledge, and especially to avoid any accidents on the road.

Government. They benefit from this study to expand drivers understanding through campaigns

and seminars focused on various traffic rules and regulations, ensuring that traffic flow remains

safe and smooth.

Law enforcers. They benefit from this study to determine the most traffic violations committed

by the drivers so that they will enhance their job to enforce the laws about traffic, and also this

knowledge will enable them to improve enforcement strategies. By addressing the most common

violations, they can contribute to safer roads and a reduction in accidents.

Future Researchers For future researchers who pursue the same related topics, this serves as

literature and guides them from their future undertaking and serves as a foundation for

future research in the field of Drivers knowledge towards traffic rules and regulation.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of drivers regarding traffic

rules and regulations, and to identify implications for enhancing road safety education. It

is only limited to the 100 drivers in Tuguegarao City.

Definition of terms

To ensure clarity and common understanding of the key concepts used in this study, the

research employed an operational definition of the following term.

Driver Individual who operates motor vehicles on public or private roads, including both

professional and non – professional driver.

Knowledge Is an awareness of facts, a familiarity with individuals and situations, or a practical

skill.

Attitude A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is

reflected in a person's behavior.

Practice To do or perform often, customarily, or habitually.

Traffic rules and regulation A set of legally binding rules established by traffic authorities to

ensure Road safety, order and the smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrian.

Driving Habits The repetitive patterns or routines in the way a person drives.
 FLORENCIO L. VARGAS COLLEGE INC.
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Compliance Acting in accordance with a set of established requirements, such as laws, rules,

regulations, or a specific demand.

Road Safety involves the implementation of methods, procedures, and measures to prevent

serious injuries and fatalities among all road users, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians,

and cyclists

Traffic Violations The act of breaking traffic laws governing the use of roads and vehicles,

resulting in a citation or ticket, fines, points on a driver's license