MODULE 1 – Hazards of the Roadway

Module GoalRecognize pedestrian hazards.

Objective OneRecall the types of vehicular and pedestrian crashes.

Objective TwoRecognize the perspective and limitations of children in traffic.

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS ARE IMPORTANT

• 5 to 15 years olds - 183 Killed and 13,000 injured

• “Safety of trips to and from school can be enhanced by sidewalks and proper signalization, but also by well-trained adult crossing guards and selective police enforcement.”. A Review of Pedestrian Safety Research in the United States and Abroad / U.S. DOT, Jan 2004

PEDESTRIAN CRASH TYPES

• Pedestrian / motor vehicle crashes are not random events.

• Understanding these factors can help develop counter measures to reduce pedestrian / motor vehicle crashes.

PEDESTRIAN CRASH TYPES

1. Dart-Out / Dash2. Multiple Threat / Trapped3. Unique Mid-block4. Through Vehicle at Un-signalized Location5. Bus-Related6. Turning Vehicle 7. Through Vehicle at Signalized Location8. Walking Along Roadway9. Working / Playing in Roadway10.Non-Roadway11.Backing Vehicle12.Crossing Expressway13.Miscellaneous

Dart-Out Dash

DART-OUT/DASH

Pedestrian ran in front of a motorist whose view of them was blocked.

Pedestrian walked or ran into road and was struck by a motorist whose view was not blocked.

MULTIPLE THREAT/TRAPPED

The pedestrian entered the roadway in front of stopped or slowed traffic and was struck by a second vehicle in an adjacent lane after becoming trapped in the middle of the roadway.

UNIQUE MIDBLOCK

The pedestrian was struck while crossing the road to / from a unique location

Example: mailbox, newspaper box, or ice-cream truck, or while getting into or out of a stopped vehicle.

THROUGH VEHICLE AT UNSIGNALIZED LOCATION

• The pedestrian was struck at an unsignalized intersection or mid-block location.

• Either the motorist or the pedestrian may have failed to yield.

BUS-RELATED

• Walking or crossing to a bus stop; • Waiting at a bus stop; or • Crossing in front of a bus stopped at a bus stop.

TURNING VEHICLE

Pedestrian crossing at an intersection, driveway, or alley. Vehicle turning right or left.

THROUGH VEHICLE AT SIGNALIZED LOCATION

The pedestrian was struck at a signalized intersection or mid-block location by a vehicle that was traveling straight ahead.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

WALKING ALONG ROADWAY

Pedestrian was walking along the roadway.

Struck from the front or from behind by a vehicle.

WORKING/PLAYING IN ROADWAY

A vehicle struck a pedestrian who was: • Standing or walking near a disabled vehicle, • Riding a play vehicle • Playing in the roadway• Working in the roadway

NON-ROADWAY

Pedestrian near roadway edge, sidewalk, driveway, alley, or parking lot.

BACKING VEHICLE

CHILDREN SEE DIFFERENTLY

• Lower eye level o Blocked view

• Field of vision is only two-thirds of an adult's

• Don't judge speed and distance well

• If I can see it...it can see me.

CHILDREN HEAR DIFFERENTLY

Cannot determine thesource of sounds.

CHILDREN PERCEIVE TRAFFIC SITUATIONS DIFFERENTLY

• Lack traffic experience

• Don’t understanddangerous situations

CHILDREN REACT SPONTANEOUSLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY

• Concentrate on only one thing at a time.

• Once they are moving it's hard to stop that motion.

• Overestimate their ability.

CHILDREN'S CAPABILITIES

Parents overestimate their children’s ability cross streets.

Discrepancy between expectations and performance is greatest for younger children.

CONCLUSION

• Parked cars block a motorist’s and child’s view

• Children have a narrower field of view – you may see them, but they may not see you

• Kids have not developed the ability to judge speed and distance – may run into traffic

• Children’s sense of hearing is still developing – may not respond quickly to a horn

• Kids may not understand traffic patterns while crossing a roadway

• When kids are focused, they may not see a traffic hazard