Are Bus Company Regulations Associated with Crash Risk? Findings from a Retrospective Survey in Four Chinese Cities

Xiaolin Wu; Huimin Zhang; Wangxin Xiao; Peishan Ning; David C Schwebel; Guoqing Hu

doi:10.3390/ijerph16081342

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Are Bus Company Regulations Associated with Crash Risk? Findings from a Retrospective Survey in Four Chinese Cities

Journal article

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Are Bus Company Regulations Associated with Crash Risk? Findings from a Retrospective Survey in Four Chinese Cities

Xiaolin Wu, Huimin Zhang, Wangxin Xiao, Peishan Ning, David C Schwebel and Guoqing Hu

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.16(8), p.1342

04/14/2019

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081342

PMCID: PMC6517911

PMID: 31013985

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Abstract

Bus crashes are common in urban China, and bus company regulations are hypothesized to be related to bus crash risk. We conducted a retrospective survey to examine the association in four large Chinese cities (Changsha, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and Wuhan). Four types of bus crashes were considered: (a) passengers injured while riding the bus; (b) bus colliding with or scraping other motor vehicles; (c) bus colliding with non-motorized vehicles or pedestrians; and (d) bus damaging public facilities. Based on regulations governing the drivers' work, complete round trips per day, and their paid salary, three categories of companies were studied: type A: ≥14 h worked/day, ≥6 round trips/day, and >70% of salary based on performance; type B: 8-13 h/day, 4 or 5 round trips/day, and 36-70% of salary; and type C: <36% of salary and no other specified requirements. Of the 926 respondents, 20.7% reported one or more crashes or related risk events in the past month. Drivers from the three types of companies reported crash incidence rates of 31.9%, 8.8%, and 6.0%, respectively, in the past month. Type A crash rates were significantly higher than type C after controlling for relevant covariates (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 7.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.74-13.47). We conclude that more stringent bus company regulations, which mandate drivers to work long hours and obtain salary based on job performance in meeting demanding metrics, are associated with elevated bus-related crash risks. Local governments in China should regulate bus companies to ensure drivers work reasonable hours and are paid based on the quality of their work (e.g., safety).

bus company regulation

bus crash

China

retrospective survey

Details

Title: Subtitle: Are Bus Company Regulations Associated with Crash Risk? Findings from a Retrospective Survey in Four Chinese Cities
Creators: Xiaolin Wu - Nankai University
Huimin Zhang - Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wangxin Xiao - Central South University
Peishan Ning - Central South University
David C Schwebel - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Guoqing Hu - Central South University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.16(8), p.1342
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081342
PMID: 31013985
PMCID: PMC6517911
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1660-4601
eISSN: 1660-4601
Language: English
Date published: 04/14/2019
Academic Unit: Research Administration
Record Identifier: 9984949470102771

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