Criminal Justice

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Browsing Criminal Justice by Author "Khoza, Vukayibambe Isaac"

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    Deviant driving behaviour : an epidemiological study
    (2004) Khoza, Vukayibambe Isaac; Potgieter, P.J.
    This research is based on an epidemiological study of deviant driving behaviour. The data collection phase implemented a self-report survey to capture data on deviant driving behaviour. The study seeks to establish: • Differences between deviant driving behaviour and respondents' demographic characteristics: gender, race, marital status, occupation, regularity of driving and type of motor vehicle usually driven. • Relationships between deviant driving behaviour and respondents' age, education, income, duration of passing a formal driving test and the period a motor vehicle has been driven. • Whether aggressive and anxious drivers do commit traffic offences more regularly than other drivers. • The differential rating of selected aspects of traffic policing. Research techniques implemented, include: • A literature study of deviant driving behaviour, reflecting various theoretical approaches to the referent object • A measuring instrument (questionnaire), capturing various theoretical constructs and, as such, makes provision for a checklist of deviant driving behaviour in the form of seven statistical scales. • Non-probability sampling through which 722 respondents were selected and included in the study. • Statistical tests of reliability of the measuring instrument and four hypotheses. Statistical findings indicate the following: • Sisnificant sender differences in self-reported deviant drivins behaviour. Male respondents reported the highest scores of aggression; females reported the highest scores of anxiety in driving activities. • Deviant driving behaviour differs significantly according to respondents' race and marital status. • Professional drivers featured predominantly in aggressive and offensive driving behaviour, document offences and the operation of defective vehicles. • Deviant driving behaviour differs significantly according to respondents' driving experience (regularity of motor vehicle driving and type of vehicle). • Significant relationships exist between deviant driving behaviour and respondents' age, education, income, duration of passing a formal driving test and the period a vehicle has been driven. Relationships assume both positive and negative directions. The correlation between anxiety and number of years a vehicle has been driven, is not significant • Drivers who display signs of aggressive and anxious driving behaviour, do commit traffic offences. Positive relationships exist between aggressive-anxious approaches and informal driver training. Positive correlations exist between traffic (driving) offences, document offences and the operation of defective motor vehicles and aggressive behaviour. • No significant correlations have been observed between deviant driving behaviour and informal driver training. Differentiai rating of traffic policing according respondents' education, race, occupation, income, etc., is also observed. Traffic officers' susceptibility to bribery creates a particular problem for authorities. The following non-prescriptive recommendations are entertained: Enhancement of formal driving tests, driver training and traffic education. Disposal of convicted deviant drivers by criminal courts. Pedestrian education. Surcharge. Periodic inspections of motor vehicles. Provision for. more traffic officer employment Prevention of corruption (bribery) in the traffic situation. Establishment of a Road Traffic Infringement Agency. Road engineering. Future research. The study succeeded in revealing "hidden" deviant driving behaviour among respondents who reside in the jurisdiction of the uMhlathuze Qty Council and adjacent areas.
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    Penalization of traffic offenders in the Magisterial District of Lower Umfolozi
    (1993) Khoza, Vukayibambe Isaac; Potgieter, P.J.
    This research is based on the penalization of traffic offenders in the magisterial district of Lower Umfolozi- For purposes of collecting data, a structured, pre-coded (content analysis) information schedule has been implemented to capture data on traffic offences and traffic offenders- Unstructured interviews were also implemented to supplement official data collected at the magistrate's court at Empangeni. The chief magistrate, presiding judicial officers, public prosecutors, clerk of the court and traffic officers were interviewed. The voluminous number of traffic violations in South Africa necessitated the enactment of road traffic legislation. Traffic legislation applicable to drivers of motor vehicles include the Road Traffic Ordinance No. 21 of 1966 (which was in force up to 31 May 1990) as well as the Road Traffic Act No. 29 of 1989. The comprehensive function of traffic legislation is to bring about a state of equilibrium in traffic safety and to discourage (deter) by means of penalization further commission of traffic offences. The classification of traffic offences is the actual focal point of the consideration of penalization of traffic offenders. For purposes of this research, traffic offences have been arbitrarily dichotomized into three discrete categories: * driving offences; * vehicle-related offences; and * document offences. Traffic offenders are consequently classified according to the commission of the three categories of traffic offences. The causation of traffic offences can be explained in relation to individual-human and social environmental factors. Correlation analyses of 4771 traffic offenders have been effected in relation to the three identified categories of traffic offences including traffic dynamics. Correlation analyses are based on demographic variables such as race, sex, age and occupation. Data are portrayed in tabular form. Traffic control in the magisterial district of Lower Umfolozi is effected by three traffic organizations: * Natal Provincial Administration (based at Empangeni); * Empangeni municipal traffic department; and * Richards Bay municipal traffic department. The primary aim of traffic law enforcement is to maintain traffic order by reducing traffic offences. Traffic officers perform the following important functions: administrative, executive and supervisory acts of authority. Penalization of traffic offenders follows the violation of traffic laws. The Road Traffic Act (Act 29 of 1989) prescribes penalization of traffic offenders, while the Criminal Procedure Act (Act 51 of 1977) prescribes the range of sentences that must be imposed on (traffic) offenders. Disparities with regard to penalizing traffic offenders were discovered by means of this investigation which brought to light many issues reflected as key findings. It has been established that Whites featured predominantly in driving offence commission, while Blacks featured predominantly in the commission of vehicle-related offences. Asians and Coloureds committed traffic offences to a lesser extent. Most traffic offenders paid an admission of guilt fine. This accounts for the fact that the majority of traffic offenders did not appear in court. Recommendations have been made which are not prescriptive. The ultimate aim of penalization of traffic offenders in the magisterial district of Lower Umfolozi should be aimed at the prevention of traffic offences.