Theme 1: Vulnerable Road Users

This theme covers research on pedestrians, cyclists and children. While the overall GB road safety record is one of the best in Western Europe, performance on pedestrian safety is only average, and accident rates for child pedestrians are higher than in most other Western European countries.

PPR446 - The potential for cycle helmets to prevent injury: A review of the evidence (667 kb)

There has been much debate in the literature and elsewhere regarding cycle helmets and their potential to prevent injury. This cycle helmet safety research report was commissioned to provide a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of cycle helmets in the event of an on-road accident, building on previous work undertaken for the Department for Transport (Towner et al., 2002).

Published:

15 December 2009

PPR 445 - Collisions Involving Cyclists on Britain’s Roads: Establishing the Causes (482 kb)

The reported number of cyclists killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road collisions in Great Britain has steadily increased in recent years, with the number injured in 2008 being 11% higher than in 2004. The Department for Transport commissioned this research to provide a comprehensive understanding of collisions involving cyclists, with the objective of establishing the key causes.

Published:

15 December 2009

Cycle helmet wearing in 2008 (1 Mb)

An observational survey of pedal cycle helmet wearing rates was undertaken in 2008 on behalf of the Department. This was the seventh in a series of surveys that began in 1994; TRL was commissioned to conduct this survey with Accent collecting the survey data. The surveys enable DfT to assess changes over time in wearing rate patterns and to inform policy on the use of cycle helmets.

Published:

24 September 2009

Building on success: improving the delivery of road safety education, training and publicity.

This research sought to identify ways of improving the delivery of road safety education, training and publicity (RSETP) in England, focusing specifically on road safety education.

Child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education Part 1 – A critical literature review (463 kb)

Road safety research report No.101 - Parents have a crucial role in keeping their children safe and enabling them to learn how to use roads independently, but little is known about how they approach the task. This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education, from the perspectives of both parents and children.

Published:

29 December 2008

Child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education Part 2 – Main report (7 Mb)

Road safety research report No.102 - Parents have a crucial role in keeping their children safe and enabling them to learn how to use roads independently, but little is known about how they approach the task. This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education, from the perspectives of both parents and children.

Published:

29 December 2008

Child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education: Part 2 – Main report (Findings) (442 kb)

Road safety research report No.102 - Parents have a crucial role in keeping their children safe and enabling them to learn how to use roads independently, but little is known about how they approach the task. This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore child–parent interaction in relation to road safety education, from the perspectives of both parents and children.

Published:

29 December 2008

Evaluation of the national network of child pedestrian training pilot projects

The evaluation of the National Child Pedestrian Training Pilot Project (Kerbcraft) investigated its impact on children’s pedestrian behaviour and on schools and volunteers. Effective ways of establishing and sustaining practical child pedestrian schemes were identified. The study was conducted by Kirstie Whelan and colleagues at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

Road Safety Research No.84 - Findings (97 kb)

Findings of road safety report No.84 - Cycle Wearing Helmet Survey

Published:

04 February 2008

Last update:

06 February 2008

Cycle helmet wearing in 2006 (No.84) (1 Mb)

Two surveys of bicycle helmet wearing rates were undertaken in September/October 2006, building on previous surveys conducted since 1994. The series enables changes in helmet wearing rates on major and minor built-up roads to be assessed over time and inform policy on the use of cycle helmets. The 2006 surveys, comprised (1) a survey on major built-up roads, conducted previously in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2004, and (2) a survey on minor built-up roads, conducted in 1999, 2002 and 2004.

Published:

04 February 2008

Child development and the aims of road safety education (No.01)

This report provides a fresh analysis of the aims and methods of contemporary road safety education and establishes a framework within which further debate and research can take place.

Published:

20 April 2000

Community approach to road safety education (No.03)

Practical training in realistic situations is one of the most effective child road safety teaching methods. This report supports an approach where volunteers co-operate with schools and project staff to conduct roadside training.

Published:

15 March 2000

Road safety and child development research: a summary analysis (No.05)

This Summary Analysis reviews the results of the Child Development Research Programme, which was conceived to improve understanding of how children learn and develop the skills needed to cope as pedestrians in traffic.

Published:

02 July 1999

Cognitive and metacognitive processes (No.06)

Underlying the development of children's pedestrian skills.

Published:

02 July 1999

Childhood accidents and their relationship with problem behaviour (No.07)

This study examines previously discovered evidence that children who exhibit problem behaviours (e.g. fighting and stealing) are at increased risk of pedestrian accident involvement.

Published:

02 July 1999

Problems of attention and visual search (No.08)

In the context of child pedestrian behaviour.

Published:

02 July 1999

Becoming a responsible pedestrian (No.09)

This project focuses on the development of educational programmes aimed at inducing safer roadside behaviour in children.

Published:

02 July 1999

Children's knowledge of danger (No.10)

Attentional skills and child/parent communication. Relationships with behaviour on the road.

Published:

02 July 1999

Road accident involvement of children from ethnic minorities (No.19)

Literature review.

Published:

06 August 2002

Computer-based pedestrian training resource (No.27)

Development and evaluation of this resource aimed at children aged 5 to 11 years. Published 14 August 2002.

Published:

14 August 2002

Bicycle helmets: review of effectiveness (No.30)

A critical review of research and literature on the efficacy of bicycle helmets to consider where and how bicycle helmets are worn compulsorily and the impact of this on cycling and safety.

Published:

16 April 2004

Last update:

15 April 2008

Child road safety in rural areas: literature review and commentary (No.32)

Literature review.

Published:

03 March 2003

Bringing children into the social contract of road use: Final Report (No.33) (496 kb)

This project aimed to develop a resource that parents could use to effectively assess and train their children (aged five to eight) to be safer pedestrians on everyday-type journeys.

Published:

20 November 2003

Training children in safe use of designated crossings (No.34)

To develop software for computer-supported training of primary age children in safe use of main types of designated pedestrian crossings (pelican, zebras and junction lights with pedestrian phases) and subsequent evaluation.

Published:

28 August 2003

Road safety education for children transferring to secondary school (No. 35) (255 kb)

Developing a road safety programme which ensures children have developed the skills to match the independence they are given when entering secondary school.

Published:

04 November 2003

Older Pedestrians: A Critical Review of the Literature (No. 37) (944 kb)

This report reviews literature relevant to the impact of the ageing process on pedestrian safety.

Published:

20 August 2004

Children's road safety: an international survey of policy and practice (No. 47) (2 Mb)

The report provides current patterns of child road safety in OECD countries, and identifies current child road safety best practice.

Published:

20 August 2004

Children's Traffic Safety: International Lessons for the UK (No. 50) (242 kb)

The report reviews child road safety good practice, innovation data from OECD countries to identify lessons for the UK.

Published:

20 August 2004

Child pedestrian exposure and accidents (No. 56) (1 Mb)

Further analysis of data from a European comparative study.

Published:

17 October 2005

Comparative study of European child pedestrian exposure and accidents (3 Mb)

Analysis of data from a European comparative study first published in 1999.

Published:

17 October 2005

Pedestrian decision-making of adolescents aged 11-15 years (No.68) (4 Mb)

This report sets out findings from two studies examining the role of skills, attitudes and perceived behavioural control in the pedestrian decision-making of adolescents aged 11-15 years.

Published:

10 October 2006