Truck Driversี Road Traffic Accidents : Concealed Risk-อุบัติเหตุจราจรของคนขับรถบรรทุก: ความเสี่ยงที่ถูกพราง

Abstract

           This qualitative study was aimed at improving understanding of the constructed mindsets and experiences of truck driversี risks about road traffic accidents as well as contextual conditions instilling the mindsets and experiences, especially conditions of truck driversี socio-cultural background, economy, and everyday life experiences, as well as transportation and accident insurance systems. Qualitative research procedures applied in this research were in-depth interviewing technique and non-participatory observation with 17 truck drivers as sample informants.

             It was found in that road traffic accidents in a truck driversี experience were regarded as something that could not be prevented and became normal.  Truck driversี work patterns combined with exhaustion, time competition and regular experiences with traffic accidents allowed truck drivers to come to terms with the accidents which were involuntarily difficult to avoid.  Although accidents in truck driversี opinions were serious, the severity did not directly affect their lives because they, themselves, were protected by a physical size of the truck as well as structural contexts of the transportation business and insurance deals with all accidents related problems.  As a result, accidents could not bring about any negative consequences on truck drivers.

            This study suggests that a solution to road traffic accidents should not be focused only on individuals, but government and concerned officials should also implement structural measures to change individualsี behaviors and mindsets to something different from their existing ones. In other words government officialsี corruption should be negated in order to strictly implement concerned laws as well as better controls and ethics of private business, particularly shady ิdealsี cut between transportation business and insurance companies.

Key words:  road traffic accidents, risk, truck drivers, transportation businesses owners, transportation insurance