Assessing the effect of Liquid Petroleum Gas ( LPG ) car conversion system in petrol car by local Artisans in Ghana.

Conversion of petrol to LPG fuelled vehicles is often carried out by mechanics who are not professionally trained in Ghana. Therefore this study was carried out to assess the effects of conversion systems of petrol cars to LPG by local artisans.  Data was collected through three techniques namely observation (i.e. Fifteen LPG installation garages), survey (112 questionnaires) and interviews with LPG installation expert from Don Bosco Training Centre in Tema, and local workshop owners. A total of 112 questionnaires were administered to LPG installation mechanics and drivers sampled randomly from the study area. The study clearly shows that most of the apprenticeship trainings were carried out by unprofessionally trained LPG installers under trees and in open garages which were not standard automobile repair workshops. Most of the vehicles do not have any safety detectors installed in them. According to the drivers, it was very difficult to detect leakage unless they smell the odour of the gas. Keywords: LPG, LPG conversion, Vehicles, Local artisans, Ghan

Personality, socioeconomic status, attitude, intention and risky driving behavior

Risky driving behavior (RDB) is one of the human factors contributing to the majority traffic injuries and crashes. This paper examines the influence of personality factors on RDB and the mediating role of intention and attitude in the relationship. The influence of different SES, personality, marital status, and gender characteristics on attitude, intention, and risky driving was also examined. A sample of 354 fully licensed Ghanaian drivers, including 278 males and 76 females, participated in the study at two times points separated by three months. The correlation results showed that unhealthy family relationship and negative emotions were positively associated with illegal speed-related behaviors, risky driving, and accident involvement. The results of a structural equation model suggested that personality variables significantly and positively influence intention and attitude toward speeding, with normlessness directly and positively influencing RBD. The mediation analysis shows that intention mediated the effects of personality variables on RBD. No significant mediating effect for attitude was found. The analysis of variance result shows that drivers with high socioeconomic status and personality had the high intention and attitude toward speeding and reported more RDB. Finally, drivers who had been divorced significantly reported more positive attitude toward speeding than the married and single group. Based on the results, the study concludes that, in accessing the effect of personality measures on RDB, it is important to include intention as a possible mediator for more accurate decision. Practical implications for managing different personalities and socioeconomic positions are also discussed