MODULE 1 – Hazards of the Roadway

Module GoalParticipants will recognize the hazards associated with pedestrians on the roadway.

Objective OneParticipants will recall the types and major causes of vehicular and pedestrian crashes.

Objective TwoParticipants will recognize the perspective and limitations of children in traffic.

SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS ARE IMPORTANT

• 5 to 15 years olds - 275 Killed and 15,000 injured in pedestrian / motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2005

• “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. Certain warning signs (e.g., flashing school speed limit signs) and markings (e.g., school crosswalks) are also appropriate and beneficial to pedestrians in many school zones”. 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.

http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/pedsafe_ca_crashtypes.cfm

PEDESTRIAN CRASH TYPES

• Crash Types used by U.S. DOT/FHWA Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection Systemo Dart-Out / Dasho Multiple Threat / Trappedo Unique Mid-blocko Through Vehicle at Un-signalized Locationo Bus-Relatedo Turning Vehicle o Through Vehicle at Signalized Locationo Walking Along Roadwayo Working / Playing in Roadwayo Non-Roadwayo Backing Vehicleo Crossing Expresswayo Miscellaneous

Dart-Out Dash

DART-OUT/DASH

• Dart-Outo pedestrian ran in front of a

motorist whose view of them was blocked.

• Dasho 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.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

Diagram 1 Diagram 2 Diagram 3

UNIQUE MIDBLOCK

• The pedestrian was struck while crossing the road to / from a unique locationo 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.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

BUS-RELATED

• The pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while: o (1) walking or crossing to a bus stop; o (2) waiting at a bus stop; or o (3) crossing in front of a bus stopped at a bus stop.

TURNING VEHICLE

The pedestrian was attempting to cross at an intersection, driveway, or alley and was struck by a vehicle that was turning right or left.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

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

The pedestrian was walking or running along the roadway and was struck from the front or from behind by a vehicle.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

WORKING/PLAYING IN ROADWAY

• A vehicle struck a pedestrian who was: o (1) standing or walking near a disabled vehicle, o (2) riding a play vehicle that was not a bicycle (e.g., wagon, sled,

tricycle, skates), o (3) playing in the roadway, or o (4) working in the roadway.

NON-ROADWAY

The pedestrian was standing or walking near the roadway edge, on the sidewalk, in a driveway or alley, or in a parking lot, when struck by a vehicle.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

BACKING VEHICLE

The pedestrian was struck by a backing vehicle on a street, in a driveway, on a sidewalk, in a parking lot, or at another location.

NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH STATISTICS

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2005

Deaths

NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH STATISTICS

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2005

Injuries

Injured

NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH STATISTICS

KILLED

> 75%How does Iowa rank??

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2005

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2005

IOWA PEDESTRIAN CRASH STATISTICS (2005)

• Iowa ranked 45th in pedestrian fatalities per capita

• 0.81 pedestrian fatalities per capita

• There were 24 pedestrian fatalities

Video: Children in Traffic

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 the

source 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 CAPABILITIES

• Dunne et al's study ( 1992)o Parents overestimate their

children’s ability cross streets.o Discrepancy between

expectations and performance is greatest for younger children (5 years and younger).

CHILDREN IN TRAFFIC – 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