Two-wheel tractors: Road safety issues in Laos and Cambodia

Two-wheel tractors are known by different names: iron-ox; walking tractor; Kubota; mechanical ox; ox-machine; power tiller; rotary hoe, rotary plough, rotary tiller; Rotavator, tok-tok; and so on. They are increasingly common throughout rural areas in developing countries as they replace traditional ox-carts.This paper describes two-wheel tractors, including their dual function as an interchangeable agricultural implement and transport vehicle. Then an estimation of traffic accidents and casualties in Laos and Cambodia is presented, followed by results from a survey of 100 two-wheel tractor owners in Cambodia and Laos. The survey results include how, when and where two-wheel tractors are used as vehicles; the extent of drivers’ experience with motorised vehicles; vehicle safety standards and exposure data; and the income effects of two-wheel tractor operation. This paper is of interest to transport, agricultural and rural development authorities considering promotion and regulation of mechanised agriculture with particular regard to road safety.