EXAMINING THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND COMPLIANCE OF THE

TRICYCLE DRIVER ON ROAD SIGN AND ROAD

USE IN CABANATUAN CITY

An Undergraduate Research

Presented to

The faculty of the criminology

HOLY CROSS COLLEGE STA. ROSA, NE, INC.

Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija

In Partial Fulfilment

of the Requirement of the Subject

(Res1-CRC)

Research 1- Criminology (Res1-CRC)

Francis T. Corono

Tristan Jade Barayuga

Maryan D.C Corpuz

John Lloyd Cabral

Rommel G. Ramos

Aljay Mangayao
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Road safety remains a critical concern in urban areas of the Philippines, particularly in

cities like Cabanatuan where tricycles serve as a primary mode of public transportation. As the

capital city of Nueva Ecija and a major economic hub in Central Luzon, Cabanatuan City

witnesses a significant volume of daily traffic, with tricycles forming an integral part of its

transportation network. The proper understanding and adherence to road signs and regulations by

tricycle drivers is fundamental to ensuring the safety of both drivers and passengers while

maintaining orderly traffic flow.

The proliferation of tricycles in Cabanatuan City has contributed significantly to the local

economy by providing affordable transportation and employment opportunities. However, this

growth has also brought challenges related to traffic management, road safety, and regulatory

compliance. Recent observations suggest that varying levels of knowledge and compliance with

road signs among tricycle drivers may impact overall road safety and traffic efficiency in the

city.

This study aims to examine the extent of tricycle drivers' knowledge regarding road signs

and their compliance with road use regulations in Cabanatuan City. Understanding these factors

is crucial for several reasons: first, it helps identify potential gaps in drivers' knowledge that may

need to be addressed through training programs; second, it provides insights into the
effectiveness of current traffic management systems; and third, it can inform policy

recommendations for improving road safety and traffic management in the city.

The findings of this research will be valuable for local government units, transportation

authorities, and other stakeholders involved in promoting road safety and efficient urban

mobility. By identifying areas where knowledge and compliance may be lacking, this study can

contribute to the development of targeted interventions and policies aimed at enhancing road

safety awareness and compliance among tricycle drivers in Cabanatuan City.

According to The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) publish on 2024 it issued

74,371 citation tickets to motorist from January to June this year, majority of which were due to

disregarding traffic laws. Corazon “Sonnie’’ Yrog-irog, CCTO Traffic Education Section acting

head, said of the number, some 22,492 citation tickets were issued to motorists who disregarded

the “No Stopping Anytime” sign. She also noted that some 21,804 citation tickets were issued to

motorists who disregarded the “No Left Turn’’ sign; and some 10,755 tickets were issued to

those disregarded the “No Parking Anytime in Clamping Zone” sign. Yrog-irog said that aside

from traffic signs, citation tickets were also issued to motorists who disregarded road markings.

She said that some 12,358 citation tickets were issued to motorists who disregarded the solid

yellow lane. While some 6,962 traffic citation tickets were issued to motorists who were caught

parking on sidewalks, she added. Yrog-irog said the violation she mentioned had the most

number of traffic citation tickets issued during the first six months of this year. She said majority

of those issued with citation tickets were public utility vehicles (PUVs) drivers and motorcycle

owners.
Review of Related Literature

This is the existing literature relevant to the present study, providing a comprehensive

overview that supports the researcher's conceptual framework and understanding. By critically

analyzing previous research and scholarly works, this literature review offers important context

and theoretical foundations that will guide the interpretation of the study's findings.

Foreign Literature

According to Dewi Maulina (2022) the study was motivated by previous research linking

poor traffic sign comprehension to increased accident risk, though there was limited research

specifically about motorcyclists' understanding of different sign characteristics. The study

recruited 86 motorcyclists between 18-25 years old from the greater Jakarta metropolitan area

(Jabodetabek), all with at least three years of riding experience. A study investigated how

different types of traffic signs and people's familiarity with them affected motorcyclists' ability to

understand these signs. The researchers conducted an experiment using two variables: signs with

symbols alone versus signs with both symbols and text, and familiar versus unfamiliar signs. The

latter was tested within the same group of participants.

 This research explores how cultural differences affect driving behavior, particularly

focusing on how drivers may choose to disregard instructions from traffic management systems.

While automated vehicles strictly follow protocols, human drivers exercise free will and may

even act contrary to guidance from central control systems. Zhengyan Hu et al. (2023)

According to Faisal Ananda (2023) traffic signs and road markings are essential

infrastructure elements that affect everyone who uses transportation. A study conducted in

Bengkalis City revealed concerning findings about both the infrastructure condition and public

compliance. Through statistical analysis using SPSS software and Decision Tree classification,

the assessment showed that while the majority of traffic signs (61.11%) were well-maintained, a

significant portion (38.89%) were damaged. The situation with road markings was more severe,

with only 27.16% in good condition and a substantial 72.84% showing deterioration.

Interestingly, when comparing actual observed behavior to questionnaire responses, there was a

notable discrepancy. Survey results indicated that 55.91% of people claimed to follow traffic

signs and markings, but field observations revealed different behavioral patterns, suggesting a

gap between reported and actual compliance.

Road traffic accidents claim approximately 1.24 million lives annually worldwide, with

pedestrians accounting for over 20% of these fatalities. Effective traffic law enforcement is

crucial for reducing such accidents. A study analyzing traffic violation data from 2015-2017,

obtained from the Traffic Police Department, examined law enforcement activities and

categorized violations into four main types: driving-related, vehicle-related, parking-related, and

miscellaneous violations.
 The analysis tracked violations across different vehicle categories including cars, small

load vehicles, motorcycles, Bajaj, and others. The data showed annual violation counts of 77 in

2015, 65 in 2016, and 86 in 2017. Throughout this period, driving-related infractions were the

most frequent, with a slight increase noted in 2017. Cars and small load vehicles consistently

recorded the highest number of violations across all three years.

For two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles), driving-related violations dominated the

statistics. Cars were predominantly involved in vehicle-related violations in 2015 and other types

of violations in 2016. Notably, parking violations only appeared in the 2017 records. In terms of

enforcement activities, safety-related enforcement actions constituted approximately 90% of total

traffic law enforcement efforts. (Tarekegn Reta Mesfin 2022)

According to Harpreet Singh (2023) the study investigated what factors predict traffic

violations - specifically speeding and running red lights - among bus drivers in a rapid transit

system. The researchers used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to understand how drivers'

intentions to break traffic rules related to their actual violations, which were measured through

real-world driving data and observer reports.

The researchers expanded on the traditional TPB model by including additional factors:

opportunity (when enforcement was lacking) and motivation (including pressures to stay on

schedule, personal time constraints, and thrill-seeking tendencies). Using K-means clustering,

they divided drivers into two groups based on their likelihood to violate traffic rules: those with

high intention and those with low intention.

Local Studies

According to Jerold Joseph Fernandez et al. (2020) traffic signs are crucial for guiding

the safe and orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians. They provide important information

about routes, directions, and warnings to drivers. For these signs to be effective, they must be

clear and easily understood by road users. However, many drivers tend to ignore traffic signs,

and enforcement by authorities is often lacking. As a result, a significant number of Filipino

drivers lack discipline, diminishing the importance of these signs. Additionally, many motorists

have not received proper training, leading to a poor understanding of various traffic signs. To

address this, a survey was conducted to assess driver comprehension of selected traffic signs.

The study aimed to explore how drivers' characteristics influence their understanding of traffic

signs in Manila, an issue critical for reducing traffic accidents in the city. The survey involved

535 drivers in Manila, and the results revealed that drivers had a poor understanding of traffic

signs, with an overall correct response rate of 76.25%. The level of understanding was

influenced by the frequency of specific traffic signs in areas the drivers frequent and the

simplicity of the sign designs, which made them easier to interpret. The study also found that

socio-economic factors, such as educational background and whether the driver had formal

driving training, played a significant role in understanding traffic signs.

 Rex Aurelius C. Robielos (2022) the study analyzed 73 traffic signs in Metro Manila to

evaluate their accuracy in matching, matching time, and cognitive design features. A total of 60

participants (30 drivers and 30 non-drivers) were voluntarily recruited to take a matching-based

comprehension test. In this test, participants matched each traffic sign with its corresponding

name, with correct and incorrect answers clearly distinguished. To be deemed acceptable, a

traffic sign needed to achieve at least 67% accuracy in the comprehension test, as per ISO 3864-

1:2011 standards. Of the 73 signs, 27 failed to meet this 67% accuracy threshold. Drivers

outperformed non-drivers in matching accuracy for both regulatory and warning signs. Signs

using symbols had the lowest matching accuracy and took the longest to match, but adding text

to these symbolic signs improved both accuracy and matching time. Signs that were purely text-

based had the highest accuracy and fastest matching time. The study also assessed cognitive

design features—such as familiarity, concreteness, complexity, and semantic distance—and

found them to be positively correlated with matching accuracy for regulatory and warning signs,

but negatively correlated with matching time for warning signs. For symbolic signs, these

cognitive design features also affected both matching accuracy and time. To enhance

comprehension and road safety, the study recommends that traffic sign designers prioritize

semantic distance, concreteness, and familiarity in their designs. Additionally, the Philippine

Department of Transportation could adopt this matching test as part of a mandatory retraining

requirement for driver’s license renewals. This matching-based comprehension test could also be

applied globally to evaluate traffic signs.

Llanto, Jonnell B (2017) traffic signs and symbols communicate important messages to

drivers and road users to promote safety. The ability to accurately understand and interpret these
signs is crucial for road traffic safety and the overall efficiency of the traffic system. Despite the

efforts made by the Philippine government to improve road safety, traffic incidents and accidents

remain a significant threat in Metro Manila, impacting both road users and pedestrians. Public

utility drivers in the region are particularly affected. Among the most common traffic violations

in Metro Manila, failure to follow road signs, symbols, and markings is a leading cause of

traffic-related offenses. These misinterpretations of traffic signs are often due to barriers in the

semiotic understanding of road signs and symbols. This study focuses on examining these

barriers to the proper interpretation of road signs and symbols by public utility drivers in Metro

Manila.

According to John Mar M. et al. Castillo (2019) Road signs and markings are crucial

components of transportation systems, designed to provide important information that ensures

the safety and protection of commuters. This study evaluates the awareness of drivers and

passengers regarding road signs and markings along Maharlika Highway in Nueva Ecija,

particularly between the cities of San Jose and Cabanatuan. While the study primarily focused on

drivers' understanding and perception of these signs, it also included the perspectives of

passengers, as they are often the victims in road accidents. A survey was conducted with 100

drivers and passengers from the area, using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree

(1) to strongly agree (4). The results indicated that drivers were generally knowledgeable about

road signs and markings but did not always follow them strictly. Passengers, however, were less

aware of these safety features and tended to rely on the assumption that drivers were adhering to

traffic rules and regulations.

 Additionally, the study found that as tricycle drivers aged, their level of compliance

tended to decrease. A similar decrease in compliance was observed among drivers who had been

operating for longer periods. Interestingly, the level of compliance also appeared to decline as

the drivers' educational attainment increased. John Cyrus S. Elipe (2023)

Theoretical Framework

This study was anchored on the concepts of the

theory made by Cominelli (2019) entitled “Road Rules: Analyzing TrafficSigns Through a

Socio- Cognitive Approach”. Road traffic accidents are to blame for the deaths of almost 1.3

million individuals each year. Although there have been substantial advancements in safety

regulations, vehicle standards, and post-accident medical care, the number of casualties has

increased due to population growth and rapid motorization. One of the things mentioned is road

safety the Sustainable Development Goals, but the deadline of 2020 to cut down on traffic

fatalities by half dejectedly missed. There are numerous strategies that could be used in light of

the increased focus on road safety. One is strengthening sanctions to encourage more responsible

conduct. The second is to upgrade cars and safety equipment. The third is to modify road layout,

particularly side-of-the-road signs, to accommodate modern roads, vehicles, and behavior. I

believe that this final strategy in particular will be most effective. A probe as in authorized

“Ergonomic Factors Affecting Comprehension Levels of Traffic Signs: A Critical Review”,

takes into account what PhD candidates by Dell'

Olioet al. (2017), thought about Public Transportation First-Class of Service.

Conceptual Framework

This study aims to examine the level of knowledge and compliance of tricycle drivers

regarding road signs and road use regulations in Cabanatuan City.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Depth of knowledge of Examining the knowledge Depth of knowledge and

tricycle drivers in terms and compliance of level of compliance of
of; drivers driver in Cabanatuan City,
Nueva Ecija
 Road Use and
 Road Sign

Data collective using

Level of Compliance of survey questionnaire.
tricycle drivers in terms
Recommendations for
of;
improving road safety
 Road Use and and traffic management
 Road Sign Statistical statement of in the Cabanatuan city,
data: Nueva Ecija

 Frequency
What is the correlation
 Percentage
between the depth of
 Weighted Mean
knowledge and level of
compliance of tricycle
 Figure 1: Research paradigm

Figure 1 illustrate the conceptual framework of the study. As shown within the research

paradigm, the input includes the study’s problem on which the researcher based their problem

statements. The following stage is the process which consist of the steps that the researcher

absorb I order to seek out solution to the matter, primary through the employment of survey

questionnaire. Lastly, the output depicts the problem’s solution and expected result.
Statement of the Problem

This study aims to examine the level of knowledge and compliance of tricycle drivers

regarding road signs and road use regulations in Cabanatuan City. Specifically, this research

seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the depth of knowledge of tricycle drivers in terms of;

1.1 Road Sign and

1.2 Road Use

2. Level of Compliance of tricycle drivers in terms of;

2.1 Road Sign and

2.2 Roa Use

3. What is the correlation between the depth of knowledge and level of compliance of tricycle

drivers in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study will focus on examining how well tricycle drivers in Cabanatuan City know

and follow road signs and traffic rules. The research will cover active tricycle drivers who are

legally registered to operate within Cabanatuan City. The study will take place in key areas of

the city where tricycles frequently operate, including main streets, markets, and terminals.

The research will look at how well drivers understand basic road signs, traffic lights, and road

rules. It will also observe how they actually follow these rules in their daily operations. Data will

be gathered through surveys questionnaire.

This study will not cover tricycle drivers who operate without licenses or those working

outside Cabanatuan City. It will not examine vehicle maintenance, income management, or

broader transportation issues. The focus will stay specifically on drivers' knowledge of road

signs and their compliance with basic traffic rules. Additionally, the study will not look into

accident investigations, legal cases, or the psychological reasons behind driving behaviors.
Significant of the Study

The result of this study will benefit the following:

Driver- Tricycle drivers will directly benefit from this study as it highlights their current level of

knowledge regarding road signs and traffic regulations. The study’s results can help identify gaps

in their understanding, enabling them to participate in more targeted education and training

programs to improve their knowledge.

Traffic Enforcer- Traffic enforcement plays a crucial role in enhancing road safety by deterring

drivers from disobeying traffic signs and its impact can be statistically assessed to understand its

effectiveness. This analysis helps determine the benefits of traffic enforcement in promoting

driver compliance and ultimately reducing accidents.

Local Government Units (LGUs) - The local government and traffic authorities can use the

study’s findings to inform the development of targeted policies, campaigns, and educational

programs aimed at improving the road safety behavior of tricycle drivers. The study will

highlight areas where road safety interventions are needed most.

Community- The general public, especially pedestrians and other road users, will benefit from

safer roads. Improved knowledge and compliance by tricycle drivers will likely reduce traffic

violations, road accidents, and congestion, contributing to an overall safer environment for the

entire community.

Passengers and Commuters - Passengers who rely on tricycles for transportation will benefit

from safer road conditions. As tricycle drivers enhance their knowledge and compliance with
road signs, the likelihood of accidents or road-related incidents will decrease, making the

commute safer for everyone involved.

Criminology Students- The study could pave the way for future research focusing on tricycle

driver education programs, traffic law enforcement effectiveness, or other related areas that need

further exploration.

Researchers and Academics: - This study adds to the growing body of research on road safety

and informal transportation systems. Researchers will benefit from the findings, which can serve

as a basis for further studies on tricycle driver behavior, traffic rule compliance, and road safety

in similar urban settings.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined as used in the study:

Tricycle Drivers - Refers to individuals who operate tricycles as a mode of public

transportation. These drivers are responsible for navigating the streets of Cabanatuan City, often

providing transportation services to commuters within the city and surrounding areas.

Road Signs - Visual indicators placed along roadways to communicate essential information to

drivers. Road signs provide instructions or warnings about specific road conditions, rules, and

hazards (e.g., stop signs, yield signs, speed limits, pedestrian crossings).

Road Use - Refers to how drivers navigate and interact with roadways, including the adherence

to traffic rules, proper lane usage, and overall behavior while driving on public roads. This

includes compliance with road signs, speed limits, and regulations related to traffic flow.

Traffic Law Enforcement - The process of ensuring compliance with traffic regulations through

monitoring, fines, and other legal measures. This can be carried out by local traffic police or law

enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining order and safety on the roads.

Pedestrian Safety - The protection of individuals walking on or near the road from accidents or

injuries caused by vehicles, particularly through the proper use of pedestrian crossings,

sidewalks, and adherence to traffic rules by both drivers and pedestrians.

Road Discipline - Refers to the practice of adhering to traffic rules and regulations, driving

responsibly, and displaying good road manners while operating a vehicle. Road discipline is key

to minimizing accidents and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic.

 CHAPTER 2

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter focus on research methodology related to the study. It discussed about the

place and time, the method and design, the sample and sampling procedure, the research

instrument, the technique of data collection/ data analysis and ethical consideration of the study.

Research Design

This research will utilize a descriptive-correlational research design to examine the level

of knowledge and compliance of the tricycle drivers in the road sign and road use in Cabanatuan

City, Nueva Ecija. This design is selected because it allows for a systematic and objective

measurement of variables and their relationships, particularly focusing on the correlation

between drivers' knowledge of road sign and their compliance behavior. The descriptive aspect

will help establish the current level of knowledge and compliance, while the correlational

component will determine if there are significant relationships between these variables.
Research Locale

Cabanatuan City, located in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, serves as the primary research

locale for this study. Known as the "Tricycle Capital of the Philippines," the city boasts a

significant population of tricycle drivers who play a vital role in local transportation. With its

dense urban layout and mixed road types ranging from main highways to residential streets,

Cabanatuan City presents a dynamic environment for studying road sign compliance and road

use behavior.
 Figu

re 2: Map of Santa Rosa Nueva Ecija

Sample and Sampling Procedures

The respondent of the study we’re composed of the tricycle drivers of Cabanatuan City

Nueva Ecija. The Raosoft formula was used in order to compute and analyze the number of

respondent’s needed in order for the study to be accurate. Moreover, Under the Purposive

Sampling, referred to as total population sampling, focused on the researcher’s judgement when

finding and selecting individuals as respondents.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data were collected through different course of stages such as asking for the

permission and seeking endorsement from the Dean of Criminology and College department and

seeking approval to conduct the study to the research teacher and research committee to allow

the research to happened. In order to obtain the exact number of tricycle drivers in Cabanatuan

City Nueva Ecija the researchers prepared a letter signed by their Research Teacher, Research

Adviser, of Criminology and Dean of the College Department. This letter was address and given

to the Legalization office of Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija. Upon gathering the exact numbers of

the tricycle drivers the researcher used the Raosoft formula in order to compute and analyze the

number of respondents needed for the study to be accurate.

Data Gathering Instruments

The researcher chose survey questionnaire will be developed to assess drivers' knowledge

of road signs and traffic regulations. This questionnaire will include multiple-choice questions,

visual road sign recognition tests, and scenario-based questions as research instrument that

contains a list of predetermined questions. It is best applied to the chosen topic because it can

determine how two variables are related or associated with each other. Moreover, the

respondents were also asked for their consent to answer the printed survey-questionnaire that

consists of questions that the researchers provided.

The questionnaire was composed with four items such as the profile of the respondents

and experience-based questions, each item measures of knowledge and compliance of tricycle

drivers among road sign and road use in Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija. The researchers also used

a multiple choice questionnaire to describe the level of the respondents' responses.

Data Analysis Technique

Using weighted mean for our data analysis and frequency of percentage for profile, the

researcher proceeded to the analysis and interpretation of the data with the use of statistical tools.

The frequency was calculated manually by the number of respondent. The weighted mean is a

measure of central tendency that takes into account the relative importance or weights of each

observation.

The proportion of respondents or participants in a study whole posses specific

demographic characteristics, expressed as a percentage of the total sample.

Weighted Mean

Where: WM=
∑ fix i
N

WM = Weighted mean

fi= frequency of response

xi = degree of response

N = total no. Of respondents

Pearson’s Correlation

n ∑ xy−( ∑ x ) ( Σy )
r=
√ [ n ∑ x −( Σx ) ] [ n ∑ y −( Σy ) ]
2 2 2 2

Where :

n = numbers of pairs of score

Σxy = sum of the products pf paired scores

Σx = sum of x scores

∑ y = sum of y scores

2
Σ x = sum of squared x scores

2
∑ y = sum of squared y scores
 The relationship of the variable will be affected by the weighted mean by clearly

defines the relationship between them by the prioritizing the most relevant and impactful data.

The weighted mean leads to more meaningful insight into the effectiveness of social media as a

marketing tool. Ensuring the relationship between variable are accurately reflected in your

analysis.

Ethical considerations

The way that the researcher would do their work should resolve on something that is

legal and ethical for all respondent in the research study. Upon conducting this study, the

researcher asked the research teacher and adviser for the approval to gather information

regarding the topic. The data that has been collected for the related respondent undergo and

ethical process through asking for permission before conducting an interview and surveys.

Lastly, all of the gathered data that relate with the identity of the respondent are treated without

most confidentiality.