Impact Of Pay Structure On Road Accidents Among Transport And Logistics Industry Drivers

Study background

Road accidents have become a challenging issue at the global level. The increasing numbers of road accidents have brought in questions many bodies such as the drivers, the transport companies, the logistic companies, the truck owners etc (World Health Organization 2015). They would be in question because of several reasons; however, the base of all such questions would only be in particular the drivers. Drivers are the one who are evident physically when there are any accidents on the roads. Drivers are punished as well by the local commuters who think that they are the only culprit (Heydari et al. 2013). However, they rarely realize the backstage story of the accident. Various other factors are there as well that acts as evident causes behind the most accidents. The fact is restricted only to the truck drivers. Other factors include but are not limited to such as reckless driving, driving in rush just to earn big money, urgency of works, the local government’s rules & regulations (Phillips and Sagberg 2013). Reckless driving can be because of various possible reasons such as drinking while driving, incapable driving skills and hunt to earn more (Zeeman and Booysen 2013).

The point of concern for this topic is the accidents because of the pay methods to the truck drivers. The researcher would restrict its findings to that particular factor only. The current earning formats that exist in different transports and logistic companies across the globe have in particular influenced large numbers of accidents on roads (Bichou, Bell and Evans 2013). The particular research work is aimed to discuss these factors only. The payment method can be a cause of road accident looks as a weird fact; however, it is indeed a fact that causes large numbers of accidents on the roads across the globe. According to an observation, it becomes clearer that payment method acts as one of the factors that encourage the behaviour of drivers (Ehrenberg and Smith 2016). The payment method in question is of two types such as pay per hour and pay per trip. Pay per hour is beneficial for the drivers if their vendors are transparent on the payment system. In otherwise case, drivers can suffer of lower than the expected payment. In such cases, they have very less power with them to fight against such unethical practices. Pay per hour is safe as well on the roads because this would not encourage drivers to be in rush on the roads (Paefgen, Staake and Thiesse 2013).

On the other hand, the payment per trip is also worth earning; however, it would require the drivers to be in rush, so that, they could make more trips and consequently earn more. This is where the most of the problems arises. Such drivers are bound to make mistakes. They are in hurry and which is why they sometime fail to identify the unexpected passerby and meet with the accident. The situation becomes worse when drivers do not feel it necessary to show any grievances to the victim. They do so because they have fear of getting caughby the local commuters or the local police (Rezaei and Klette 2014).    

Research aims and objectives

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the factor, which is largely influencing the truck drivers for unexpected road accidents. This particular study would also investigate the influence of the provided theme for discussion such as pay per trip or pay hourly basis. Moreover, this would investigate the dominance of a particular factor by comparing the contribution of both the factors in the rising numbers of road accidents.

Research aims

The study has its aim to find the most probable cause of road accidents, which it would choose from two options such as pay per trip or pay hourly basis.

• To find the most probable cause of road accidents among the two factors such as pay per trip or pay hourly basis.
• To draw the attention of truck owners and the different logistic & transport companies towards the rising epidemic.
• To make truck drivers aware of risk management strategies.

• Which among the pay per trip or pay hourly basis is the dominant cause of increasing road accidents?

 World Economic Forum (2016) report on the logistics of the world suggests that the present value of the industry is about 1.5 trillion US dollars. The internet revolution has a lot to do with this magnanimous monetary figure. However, the lion share of the logistics depends on the transportation. The road accidents are a part and parcel of the logistics industry. There are two specific models of payments for the drivers in the logistics industry. They are pay per hour and pay per trip (Prockl et al. 2017). This literature review vividly compares and the contrasts between the reasons behind the accidents in case of the drivers who work on the payment per hour basis and the drivers who work on the payment per trip basis. The literature review will discuss all the major points on the aspects like financial security, unskilled labour, high speed driving, fatigue, incentives and unsafe driving. All these aspects are discussed with the help of authentic journals, articles and study materials.

Conceptual framework is a significant tool to discuss the primary ideas of research study (Fischer et al. 2016). It creates an image for the entire study on which the methodology, findings and discussions will be based on (Shields and Rangarajan 2013).

Figure 1: Conceptual framework

Source: (Author made)

The conceptual framework discusses all the factors of reasons behind the accidents in the logistics industry. As it is clear that there are primarily two kinds of payment structures for the drivers in the logistics industry and each category of driver faces different circumstances which are responsible for the accidents (Prockl et al. 2017). One of the leading websites of the the United Kingdom reported the fact that the public knowledge about the reasons behind the road accidents in the logistics industry is very low (fta.co.uk. 2017). The primary factors behind the so many accidents are described according to the categorisation of the drivers (on the basis of salary structure). The authentic sources stated that in case of the drivers who are paid per hour are often paid lowly in compared to the drivers who work on the per hour payment basis. The factors behind these road accidents include various psychological as well as behavioural factors relating to the drivers and the Logistic organisation. Generally the factors like rash driving, ignoring the speed regulations and fatigue seems to be more significant in terms of causing accidents. However, the other factors like financial insecurity, unskilled drivers and incentive scheme according to work load also acts in the internal or psychological frame of mind of the drivers which causes accidents.

Literature Review

Monaghan (2016) explains in her report that the accidents primarily take place because of the tight delivery schedule of the drivers in the logistics industry. The drivers who are get paid according to the number of trips they perform they do per day or week always try to exceed their target to receive incentive. This type of psychological rush has caused several accidents in the logistics industry. Christie et al. (2012) stated in their research that the entire sectors needs young workforce. As the pay scale of the logistics industry is lower in compared to many other sectors, the younger work force is not much interested in this sector. Hence, there is a huge scarcity of skilled drivers in this sector (Toynbee 2017). The scarcity of good drivers among the category of pay per hour drivers is even severe. As there is a lot of scope to earn incentives in the pay scale in the pay per trip model, most of the skilled drivers tend to select that category over the pay per hour. Hence, the scarcity of skilled drivers becomes one of the key reasons behind the accidents. The factors of financial insecurity are a psychological and economic impact on the drivers (Toynbee 2017). As the cost of living in the developing countries like UK and USA is way higher, the financial insecurity also plays into the physical and health related problems of the drivers. According to guardian, the leading logistic companies like Hermes have a wage which is lower than the minimum wage in the countries like the USA and the UK. Hermes pays less than 6 pounds per hour to the drivers (Booth & Osborne 2016). On the other hand, HGV drivers were paid less than 1.20 Euros in the countries like Latvia (Toynbee 2017).  The logistics industry drivers have also launched complaints for the low pay they receive. The logistics driver association in the United Kingdom have launched by requesting to regulate the wage of the drivers up to 15 pounds per hour (Petitions – UK Government and Parliament 2017). The website reports that the average wage of the drivers is 9 ponds per hour which is quite low for such a high skilled job. Interestingly, the report of Monaghan (2016), stated in the guardian that the drivers are often underpaid despite working for longer hours. If the drivers take longer time to work they remain underpaid in their industry.

However, Workplace Safety and Health Institute (2016), stated that the employees who are related to per hour pay scale causes much lesser accidents in compared to the drivers who are paid according to the number of trips they do.  It is an evident truth that payment per trip model often causes more accidents for reckless driving in compared to payment per hour.

The factors related to the accidents of the drivers who are paid according to the number of hours they work for are financial insecurity, unskilled labour and high speed driving. They are discussed vividly in the following portions of the research.

Conceptual framework

According to a research the workers who are lowly paid often psychologically stressed. Driving is a risk related work which requires drivers who are free of all problems. However, in case of the drivers who work on per hour basis are often lowly paid. This causes high speed driving or lack of control in the behaviour of the workers (National Academy of Sciences. 2001).

On the other hand, these drivers do not have a lot of chance to gain incentives like the drivers who work under pay per trip scale. Therefore, the chances of rash driving among these drivers might be lesser in compared to the other category and this might cause less number of accidents among them (Monaghan 2016).

According to a report of Williams (2015), the salary of the drivers working in the logistics industry is way lower than the other working class people. Most of the workers in the work per hour salary structure are over aged. About 285,000 drivers work in the Logistics industry in the United Kingdom whereas, 13,000 of the drivers among them are in the wrong side of 65 and many others ages much more than 50. Hence, it can be understood that the new recruits are not coming into this industry to work and most of the skilled labour who are coming into the the industry work in the trip based salary structure. Hence, the unskilled drivers are a risk factor for this industry. It is a fact the most of the logistic vehicles are consisting of heavy vehicles like trucks and huge carrier vehicles (Mooren 2014). There is an ardent requirement of young skilled labour in this industry. However, the majority of younger generation is not interested in this job because of bad salary structure and remuneration system.

On the other hand, there are reports and studies which mention that mention that unskilled labour is a much lesser important factor in compared to the incentive scheme. According to a report from Australia, the primary factor behind the accidents is in the fact that the entire industry is money driven (Coradviser.com.au. 2016). Hence, the drivers tend to work overtime in order to do well in the industry. The entire industry actually runs in the limitation of time and that tends the drivers to run the vehicles at a higher speed which causes road accidents in the logistics industry.

High speed driving is one of the primary reasons behind the road accidents in the logistics industry (pwc.co.uk 2014). An authentic report of the United Kingdom stated that there is a requirement in uplifting the safety and security measured due to the risk of accidents. The unskilled labours are often responsible for these accidents. It becomes difficult for them to control the heavy vehicles without proper skill training. Another report also mentions that as the drivers are not paid properly if they do not complete the work in time, they tend to speed up their vehicles (Osborne 2016).  

However, high speed driving is an ardent requirement for the logistics industry. The entire business sector of the developed economies is running because of transportation and communication. Hence, these companies require faster and smoother deliveries. There is a fixed time limit for the drivers in this industry. Hence, it is a requirement for the workers rather than a problem (Lester 2015).

Factors of maximising accidents in the logistics industry

Pay per trip is a better option for the drivers in the logistics industry. Most of the skilled labour tend to choose this payment structure rather than the per hour pay structure (The Week UK 2017). As the driver can work over time and do more trips in order to earn more, fatigue becomes a major problem for the drivers. The other problems like the incentives also causes problem for the drivers. As the drivers want to earn more money by driving for longer hours, it often causes accidents. As the driver always wants to finish a trip faster, he is often accused of rash driving.

The factors like fatigue, incentives and unsafe driving plays a role in the accidents in the case of the drivers who work in per trip pay salary structure.  

Fatigue is a major factor for the employees for the workers who work for longer hours as they seek incentives. Gowen (2017) includes the fact that fatigue can cause a lot of harm for the drivers. Driving is an industrious work in which fatigue can cause magnanimous accidents in this sector which might result into devastation. Most of the accidents are caused due the fatigued drivers in the logistics industry.

However, a major section of researchers maintain the fact that the real cause of accidents is the urge of the drivers to earn more incentives. As the basic pay is quite low, the drivers tend to perform more number of trips in order to earn more profit (Bbc.co.uk. 2017).  

Incentives

The Week UK (2017) stated in a report that major logistic companies have decided to pay their workers in terms of the number of trips they will perform, in order to solve a colossal problem in the logistics industry. The news article mentions that the workers who work under this salary structure earn way more than other. However, this incentive scheme of getting more money can be described as one of the major reasons behind the accidents. The drivers often tend to work for longer hours and this causes enormous fatigue which results in to accidents (Christie et al. 2012).

However, according to Forbes, the USA logistics industries announced 38 billion USD incentives for the employees (Cohan 2017). The report suggests that the incentives will encourage the workers and the drivers to work more professionally. This report showcases the incentives in positive life in its entirety.

Unsafe driving is major issue for this category of drivers. These drivers often do rash driving to complete more number of trips to earn more (Reason 2016). The time limit for every trip also puts pressure on them to work harder in order to earn more.

A government report suggests that the drivers are concerned about the rising security measures to stop rash driving. This report strongly suggests training for the drivers to avoid such situation. A UK government report suggests that unsafe driving among the drivers who work for per trip salary is common in the country (Christie et al. 2012).

Pay per hour

On the other hand the vehicle industry has been designing and churning out vehicles which can run faster for longer time period. And the logistics industry is also in favour of using these vehicles in order to grow faster. As the number of trips will increase the amount of services and will churn more profits (Pemberton 2017).

This is a very important chapter, which adds additional dimensions to the research findings (Mackey and Gass 2015). A research is incomplete if it has no research methodology section (Silverman 2016). Research methodology section covers all the necessary elements, which is required while conducting a primary research on the chosen topic (Flick 2015). It is necessary that the research take high care in this particular section of a research work to avoid any deviation from the actual required path (Panneerselvam 2014). This chapter would include various things such as the research approach, which is very important to decide the area of restriction for the particular topic (Smith 2015). There are two kinds of research approach such as qualitative and quantitative. This particular study would use the qualitative approach. This is because it would use various secondary resources (Snyder 2012).

This would also use a thematic approach to find the information on the chosen topic. The research would use some themes to compare and contrast with each other to get some useful findings on the chosen topic of research. The researcher would use two themes such as pay per hour or pay per trip as its themes to understand and compare the both to get the findings on the chosen research topic (Green, Camilli and Elmore 2012).

This is one of the layers of the research onion, which gives a structured overview of the research methodology section. Research onion actually shows the sequential following of different necessary elements of the research methodology section. Research design is very important for reaching to an adequate resource of information (Tong et al. 2012). Research design is of three types such as exploratory, explanatory and descriptive (Liamputtong 2013). Exploratory design method is related to the scientific approach towards the gathering of information. It includes mathematical calculation as well (Kuada 2012). On the other hand, descriptive research design is referred to such method that does not follow any scientific method of calculation. It does not include any mathematical calculation.  

The researcher has selected the descriptive method for this research. This is because that the research topic is dependent largely on the available secondary resources. The researcher just needed the help of all the available peer reviewed journals, which is also why the research has selected the descriptive research design for the chosen research topic.

Philosophy has its importance in research works. It is necessary that the researcher must choose an appropriate research philosophy to avoid any deviation from the actual required path. The researcher needs an appropriate research philosophy in order to find information on the dominance reason, which is causing a large number of accidents (Knight and Cross 2012).  

In this research, the researcher has restricted his findings to the insight of the chosen topic. It is very necessary that the researcher use various available peer reviewed journals, which could get a better insight of the chosen topic of research. The researcher has based its research entirely on the secondary resources, which is why it was necessary that the researcher must select a suitable research philosophy. Moreover, the researcher has selected the Positivism as the philosophy for this particular study (Groenewold and Lessard-Phillips 2012).

This is another very important tool in reaching to the destined position. Two types of research approach are there such as deductive and inductive approaches. Inductive approach is related to the findings of a new theory or presenting something new while researching the selected topic. On the other hand, deductive approach is related to the available facts, which would base its research on the available facts (Harper 2012).

The researcher has selected the deductive approach for the chosen topic. The researcher had needed no such extensive works to find any new theory or a fact. The researcher has indeed needed to research the available facts, which are accessible in the form of peer-reviewed journals and books. The selected topic did not require any new findings on the theoretical part to understand it properly. This is because of all such reasons the researcher has based its work on the available facts (Hair 2015).

The researcher has selected the secondary resources for collecting the required data on the selected topic of research. Data collection is of two kinds such as primary and secondary. Primary data collection is related to a new find, which the research attains after doing various research works on the primary resources such as by conducting a structured interview with the selected people and by conducting an online survey with the selected or random respondents (Patten 2017).

The researcher has selected the related secondary resources as its tool to collect the required data on the selected topic of research. The researcher has followed the secondary resources such as the available and accessible peer reviewed journals and books. It was necessary because the available peer reviewed journals and books had adequate information in them. The resources used were informative and very helpful as well. The selected resources have helped the researcher immensely in finding useful information that could put sufficient light on the research topic. The researcher would use the non-probability method of sampling for this research. This is because the research has selected to go with the thematic analysis on the collected data (Corbin, Strauss and Strauss 2014).

The research topic is full of scope. The selected matter of discussion has become one of the prominent reasons behind an increasing numbers of road accidents across the globe. Road accidents are getting increased with the passage of time and with the addition of various new technologies in the existing resources. However, even the drivers have rare thoughts for such happenings. They have very less time to think on such happenings. Additionally, they are very low skilled and qualified, which is why they have no such high level of understanding on the concerned topic. They are not the alone culprit, the transport owners, the owner of the vehicle and the logistic company’s owner have also rare time with them to think on the subject matter.

The topic is very crucial and important as well. This would keep on attracting various research works in future as well. This is because the rate of accidents is getting increased with the passage of time. The entire system is at fault. The payment system of the vendors or the transporters or the logistic company’s owner is probably causing the issue to happen. The research has its scope in such cases where its findings would convey a much-needed message to all kinds of owners. The research has its scope to teach the vendors or the transporters or the logistic company’s owners on considering a change in the existing system. This is necessary because the existing system such as the payment per trip appears to be a dominant reason behind the increasing road accidents. This is because the per trip payment system encourage the drivers for making trips in big numbers. They think that a high numbers of trips would give them huge income. The research is purposeful in such regards where the findings of the research would convey the message of road safety. Such facts would make them aware with the numbers of accidents cases, which is occurring because of the mentioned reason in particular.

The research has its scope in educating common people on road safety parameters. The findings of the research would help the common people understand the necessity to be safe and to use safety parameters while being on the road. It does not mean that they are at fault but it rather means that they should also be alert because such cases can occur at any point in time.

The research has its scope in encouraging various other research works in future in the selected topic. The topic is attracting various research works. The findings of this particular study would also attract the interest of various other researchers. The study has its scope in conveying its message to the government of global countries who has the responsibilities to take care of the rising accident cases.

The significance of research lies in its findings, which would add some dimensions to the already established facts. The rising cases of road accidents have brought the global countries under one platform where they have concerns for the cases but they have not been able to put stop on such cases. They are all having discussions on the concerned matter; however, they have no answers for such cases. The significance of the research is for such thinkers who think but fail to make any significant impression. It is undeniable that the findings of the research would not change the entire picture; however, it is undeniable as well that the findings of the research would definitely attract some concerns towards it. The topic has caused many fatalities to the global countries but the entire world has kept their mouth shut for no evident reason. They are responsible for such urgencies, which are playing its bigger role in increasing the road accidents cases. The pay per trip system and the increasing requirements of products to the customers have certainly encouraged the vendors to go with such strategies. Pay per trip system should never have existed if the vendors or other third party owners had realized the loss of such system. These are vendors and the other third party owners who have set such rules and policies to drive their business by attracting drivers in large numbers. The purpose could be the rising demands of product delivery to the customers, which has provided many opportunities to such vendors to accommodate on the provided chances. However, the intention has unintentionally served in wrong and unexpected outcomes.

The researcher has to consider the adherence to the Data Protection Act of 1998 for securing the accessed data of the various peer reviewed journals and books. The researcher had also maintained a formal way of research on the accessed data. The researcher has prevented him from hampering the image of any particular vendor or transport owners or any logistic company by uploading their information on public sites (Miller et al. 2012).

The fourth chapter is all about the depiction of the results of the qualitative analysis.  The findings of the study are based on two previous chapters. They are methodology and literature review (Schmidt and Hunter 2014). This chapter consists of all the aspects of the analysis. The entire analysis is done on the basis of secondary data collected from the authentic journals and utilised in the literature review.    

The literature review vividly discusses about the low pay of the drivers in the logistics industry. Pauka (2017) draws the present scenario of the drivers in the logistics industry of Australia in his report. According to this report 29 percent of the drivers are under paid in this industry. This report also clearly stated that 31 percent of the drivers avoid the safety rules as they want to work more in order to get extra payment from the employers. Most importantly 20 percent of these employees break the safety rules of the traffic in order to meet the deadline. This is a severe issue that low pay of the employees is responsible for such problems in the developed countries like Australia.

The literature review also vividly discusses the fact that most the employees who work in per hour basis payment suffers through low payment. Hence, it is possible that they are more prone towards road accidents and low payment can be held responsible for it. As the companies deduct their salary if they do not reach destinations within the time limit. The drivers with the salary structure of per hour basis often take such unnecessary challenges to breach the traffic rules of the country.

However, the literature also discusses the fact that the drivers who are paid according to the number of trips they do also drive in higher speed than normal without taking the safety measures. However, as most of the drivers in this category are possibly skilled, the probability of accidents is lesser than the other category.

The longer working hours is fatal truth of the logistics industry (Gregson 2017). However, in case of the drivers who work on the pay per hour basis are often not allowed to work overtime as it becomes advantageous for them to earn more money for various external problems like natural hazards and traffic jams (The Week UK 2017). Hence, the problem of elongated hours is mostly applicable on the drivers who work in pay per trip basis. The literature review vividly discusses the fact that the drivers with pay per trip salary structure often work overtime to do as many trips they can. In the process they often run their vehicles beyond the legal speed limit which causes severe accidents in various countries.

Tac.vic.gov.au (2017) reported the fact that around 20 percent of the dangerous road accidents take place because of the fatigued driver. The shift drivers with heavy vehicles are often described as the most prone drivers to cause fatal accidents in the developed countries.

The driving sector of the logistics industry is all about meeting deadlines and working vehemently along with time. The pressure of work remains for long periods of time. In case of the drivers who work per hour payment scale have to be met their deadlines and reach their destinations within time (Bbc.co.uk. 2017). They often loose their salary because of their unpunctuality. Hence, the work pressure is always high and this oppresses them to drive faster.

The pressure of work often forces them to drive faster than the normal speed. On the other hand the financial security of the drivers who are paid per trip often tries to earn more money to provide financial security to him and his family (Monaghan 2016). As the payment structure of the drivers of the logistics industry is very low in most of the developed nations, it pushes them to take the pressure. These employees know well that their payment depends on the number of trips they are driving hence, they want to maximise their efforts in order to earn more. The pressure of work to reach the destination faster often causes fatal accidents and death.

According to a government report of Australia, most of the employees who are a part of an accident in the logistic industry are young. Most of the young people who join this industry is often unskilled (Toynbee 2017). As there is a huge shortage of employees in the logistics sector, the people who apply for jobs are often appointed in Europe and America (O’Marah 2016. ). There are complaints about the fact that even the minimum wage is not paid to the drivers of the logistics industry in Europe, Australia and America. Moreover, a large section of the employees are over aged. The industry requires new employees to work in this sector. Hence, the requirement of skilled employees is a practical truth in this sector.

The literature review vividly discusses the fact that the drivers who work on the pay per hour basis are mostly unskilled. As the scope to earn high remuneration and to elevate the salary structure with over work is very low, most of the skilled labour joins the other category of pay per trip. Hence, the chances of the road accidents by the amateur drivers are always high (World Economic Forum 2016). As it is very difficult to drive the heavy vehicles properly, the amateur drivers often become a part of the accidents.  Therefore, it is clear that the drivers who work for per trip payment have less chance of accidents.

The figures mentioned by the world economy forum in the year 2015 have shown some interesting facts on the road accidents. The figure has clearly supported a rising number of road accidents. The results show some varying figures in respect to different countries; however, it reveals some threatening results (World Economic Forum 2017). One point is noteworthy here that the figures do not support the chosen topic as the most probable cause behind the rising numbers of road accidents. There are indeed many other reasons as well, which are but not limited to such as drink driving, driving at high speed to get thrilled, unskilled driving and bad weather (Heron 2015). The mentioned reasons are valid proofs of the fact that there are various other reasons as well that cause road accidents. A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has revealed some significant facts, which state that approximately 55% of the road accidents occur because of road crashes between heavy motors and other vehicles. The study has further identified that there are four most probable reasons behind the road crashes such as driver falling asleep, driver’s inattentiveness, furious driving and poor control on reading the direction (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 2017). The study has confirmed some important reasons behind the road accidents. Nevertheless, falling asleep while driving is also cited as one of the evident reasons behind the accidents.

In the opinion of Caruso (2014), long shift working or an increased work nature affects the performance of drivers. It reduces their performance as well. It is also very threatening for a peaceful life. Long shift working or over working is a major cause behind the tiredness, which eventually hampers the health of drivers. Drivers with poor health are very susceptible to an unenergetic work performance. Nonetheless, an unenergetic work performance is a door to falling asleep while driving on the road. This is where problem arises because on the highways there are numerous other vehicles. Drivers that fall asleep while driving might not be able to identify the coming vehicle from the other side. An uncontrolled drive as such, which is mentioned would lead to road accidents (Golden 2012).

The above-cited facts of over time are an evident indication of increasing road accidents. Drivers those work under the pay per hour or pay per trip basis, they are high susceptibilities to poor health. Poor health is indeed a very dreadful situation for the drivers who are registered with any logistic company or transport owners or any other vendor. The pay per trip and pay per hour format encourages the drivers for such state. Drivers are bound to work for stretched hours for either of the format. However, the work per trip basis is indeed the dominant factor of both in encouraging the drivers of stretched working. They used to be in hurry in order to achieve a large numbers of trips, as they know that large number of trips would give them elevating numbers of income (Hall and Krueger 2016).

The question of the research can well be answered with the help of thematic analysis of the two variables that are chosen in the research topic. In the finding section, the researcher has identified that a comparative analysis of the two variables would be helpful for finding an appropriate conclusion on the chosen topic of research. In the finding section, the researcher has identified few facts, which is supportive for finding answers on the chosen research topic. The pay per trip payment looks like a most evident reason behind the increasing numbers of road accidents. This is because of various reasons such as driver’s tendency to make more trips to earn huge (Marquet and Miralles-Guasch 2014). Additionally, drivers are not allowed wages for the hours that exceeds the set limits. This is the one reason, which would prevent drivers from doing extra shifts. Extra shifts are only viable when drivers work under pay per trip format. Pay per trip is the requirement of many because it gives them an independent working atmosphere where they could work accordingly. They would not have any strict supervision on them, which is highly applicable in case of pay hourly basis. This is one of those reasons, which excite drivers for excessive or over work (Elnaga 2013).

Over work is helpful for the drivers as this supports them gain more. On the other hand, pay hourly basis is less fascinating until and unless a fair minimum wage is paid to them. Pay per trip format does also encourage the drivers for making trips in good numbers, so that, they could earn huge sum. This is only possible if they drive fast and cover shorter distance. Shorter distance would enable them complete more trips. On the other hand, they would be in hurry in those trips where they have to cover long distances. This is problematic because driving in hurry is never safe for the drivers as well as for the local commuters (Rendón-Vélez 2014). On the other side, such drivers do also think of working extra, so that, they could get chance to make extra trips. Over work is never safe for health. On the other hand, drivers are needed to be physically healthier, so that, they could drive safely. However, over working schedules would definitely hamper their health status (Ganster and Rosen 2013). This would result in many consequences such as the followings:

• Falling asleep while driving, which is very dangerous and highly susceptible to road crashes
• Poor impact on health, which is not feasible with the driving jobs
• Irregular work activities, which may be because of the irregular heath activities

Over work has unexpectedly become the requirement of drivers because of the operating formats of the different transport and logistics companies. Logistic companies are overloaded with loads of task in nowadays, because of an increased online booking of various services. The logistic companies have pressure on them to deliver the products to their destination in real time, which is one of the keys behind their competitive advantage. The contemporary work nature somehow prepares a different environment where drivers are loaded with extra responsibilities. This also happens because the transport or the logistic companies have insufficient numbers of drivers. This only makes scope for such nature of works where drivers are encouraged to carry extra responsibilities. Drivers are being attracted towards the added responsibilities with something very feasible and worth for them. Transport and logistics companies then capitalize on the chances created by showing a huge earning potential in their offered earning scheme. On the other hand, this is a very good earning opportunity for the drivers. They try to grab the opportunities with both the hands. The earning potentiality in the concept is perhaps the one thing that encourages their mentality for the maximize number of trips. There are fewer fatalities if the drivers are highly careful while they are driving. However, it rarely happens, as they seem to be in hurry just to get large numbers of trips in quick succession. This helps them get good money as well as they cover this within a shorter span of time (Russo and Comi 2012).

Pay per trip is found to have largely inclined towards road fatalities; however, chances of road fatalities are also possible with the pay hourly basis. This can happen if there is an agreement from the transport owners or the logistics companies on payment after the shift time is over. This would certainly change the work nature of drivers, as they would from thereafter look for extra working hours. This would provide them an extra earning potentiality. An extra earning potentiality would encourage them for working long hours, which is again not safe for the driver’s health. Driver’s health is one of those reasons that cause significant numbers of road accidents. However, such payment format rarely attracts any payment after the shift time is over. The rate of probability in such format is very rare (Belzer 2012).

On the other hand, the pay per trip basis payment is comparatively bigger injurious for the drivers, for the local commuters and for the owners. Pay per trip system is very exciting for the drivers. They see it as a good opportunity to earn a maximize sum. In course of work, they tend to work longer than the normal working hours. Interestingly, they are self-encouraged for making large numbers of trips in order to earn a huge amount. Such self-encouragement is unhealthy for the entire that are associated and influenced with the concerned transportation mean. Drivers in pay per trip format work for extra long hours, which after sometime start affecting their health. Before that they are highly susceptible to falling asleep while driving, which is very dangerous not only for the particular vehicle or the driver but for the entire road infrastructure. It rather affects the local commuters, the other vehicles, the transporting & logistic owners and the drivers. Falling asleep is very common with longer working hours such as working in nights. Nevertheless, falling asleep is also common with high numbers of accident cases on the roads (Belzer 2012s).

The above-mentioned fatalities indicate towards a fact that pay per trip is comparatively highly responsible to road accidents than the pay hourly basis. However, the transport and the logistic company’s owners are also helpless. They are bound to follow the payment structure because there is huge demand of meeting with the increasing expectations of customers. Online booking has been increased rapidly in nowadays, which has encouraged logistic companies to go to any extent to attract the interest of drivers. They have done so to attract large number of drivers to respond to the rising demands of delivery (Solomon 2014). On a same note, logistic companies and transport owners can never afford to lose their drivers because of the less interest of young drivers to this industry. Young drivers would be comparatively a better option for the transport and logistics companies as they have higher longevity and potentiality to work for longer hours. Companies are bound to rely on the workforce, which is why they try to reframe the minds of their drivers with various lucrative earning potentials (McVeigh et al. 2013).

The comparative discussion on the two payment format such as pay per trip and pay hourly basis has provided a bit confused but a healthy discussion. However, the discussion has largely favoured the dominance of pay per trip’s role in increasing cases of road accidents. This is a good platform for the drivers to earn more. On the other hand, this is less safe to their health as well. Despite of all the facts it can be said that the existing trend for payment of wages are a mixed bag of enjoyment and sadness. It makes drivers happier when they make big earnings. On the other hand, it makes them sad when they meet with any health related issues, which not only endanger their health but it also affect their earning resources. It is very difficult to prove the system wrong because it is serving the purpose of many. However, on the other hand, it has many peculiar impacts of it that not only affect the driver’s life but it rather affects the lives of many.

Conclusions and recommendations

This is one of the most important chapters of the research work. It covers the conclusion portion, which is very important as the whole research is conducted to draw some conclusions on the chosen topic of research. Apart from the conclusion, the chapter also includes the answers to the set research objectives, which it facilitates by linking different objectives with the findings of the research. It further recommends some suggestive thoughts to the chosen topic of research. The chapter further include a discussion on the limitations of the study if there is any. The chapter ends with future scope of the research.

Conclusion

The analysis of the chosen research topic gives a wide range of findings, which is very useful for raising some concerns to the problems highlighted in the study. The transporting and logistic operations have produced answers to many problems such as the increasing numbers of online booking, increasing numbers of customer’s demands, elevating competition in between the different rival companies for quick responses to market demands etc. The researcher has conducted a thematic analysis on the chosen research topic. The researcher has conducted a thematic analysis with the help of two variables such as pay per trip and pay on hourly basis. The researcher was able to get sufficient helpful information; however, it was difficult for the researcher to favour any of the chosen variables. The researcher has found the pay per trip payment method as the dominating reason behind the rising accident cases; however, the proximity with the pay on hourly basis payment structure was not low either.

Objective 1: To find the most probable cause of road accidents between the two factors such as pay per trip or pay hourly basis;

In this objective, it was important to find a clear difference in between both the factors. The researcher was largely successful in finding the differences in between the two factors. However, it is very difficult to claim anything. It appears to the researcher that the pay per trip payment method is the most dominating reason behind the rising cases of road accidents. The researcher has found many supportive references to the fact that pay per trip system is highly responsible for a large number of road accidents. It does so because drivers in such format tend to work for longer hours, which makes them fatigue. It is not safe for their health as well.

Objective 2: To draw the attention of the different logistic & transport companies towards the rising epidemic;

 In this objective, it was necessary that the researcher get sufficient data on the rising road accidents cases, so that, the study could supply a good information on the rising cases of road accidents and the role of existing payment method in such cause. The researcher was able to find various information that stated that road accidents cases are have increased with the passage of time. The findings have also shown that the existing payment system has in particular affected the behaviour of drivers and the transport & logistics company’s owners. The existing payment system has become a necessity to both the drivers and to the various transport & logistics company’s owners. The information supplied in this study might attract the attention of logistic and transport company’s owners.

Objective 3: To make truck drivers aware of risk management strategies;

In this objective, it was necessary for the researcher that it supplies some important information, which could raise the awareness related to the safety parameters while driving. The researcher has mentioned some factors that make drivers fall asleep while they are driving. The researcher has also mentioned some other facts such as the effect of driving for long hours on the drivers. Nevertheless, such information might not work wonder; however, this would raise awareness for some further studies on the same topic. The chosen research topic in particular needs various research works in future. It also needs few changes in the existing transport and logistics companies. This is the only effective way, which would encourage the drivers for adopting risk management strategies.

It is not feasible for the transport and logistics companies to change the existing payment structure. It is more advisable that drivers pay high attention for keeping them intact with some precautious measures until there is any change made in the existing payment structure. Drivers should be more careful while driving during extra working hours. This is highly possible that drivers would fall asleep while driving during the extra hours. It is very challenging to make them awake during extra hours. However, there are some effective ways, which could help drivers awake during the extra working hours. They should use coffee at regular intervals of time. It is very helpful in keeping a person awake for a smaller interval of time. Additionally, they could also sprinkle some water on their faces at regular intervals. This would help drivers be afresh.

There are some limitations as well in this research as well. This is because the researcher was unable to conclude that the pay per trip payment method is the dominating reason behind the rising cases of road accidents. It is because the researcher has limited access to those resources, which could have made things clearer on the chosen research topic. Budgetary issues have also restricted the researcher’s works to a limited area. Moreover, the researcher was unable to take help of the costlier journals, which could have provided some additional information on the chosen research topic.

The limitations in the research work have provided opportunity for research work on the chosen research topic. The researcher could not access the costlier journals on the chosen research topic, which have restricted the researcher from getting more results on the subject matter. This study has found some valuable information on the dominating of two chosen reason such as pay per trip and pay hourly basis for rising accident cases. The researcher’s limitation to find adequate materials in support of the view that pay per trip causes more accidents has itself created many opportunities to the future study.

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