title: Misunderstanding of right-of-way rules at various pedestrian crossing types: observational study and survey.
abstract: Misunderstanding of right-of-way rules may contribute to pedestrian trauma, especially at crossings where pedestrian and traffic signals appear to give contradictory messages. Two thousand eight hundred and fifty-four pedestrians were observed crossing at signal-controlled intersections to compare attention to traffic for different combinations of pedestrian and traffic signals. In addition, a survey was conducted at signal-controlled intersections and nearby car parks in metropolitan and rural areas. Five hundred and seventy-four participants took the role of pedestrian or driver when responding to questions regarding beliefs about pedestrian right-of-way for a range of situations at signal-controlled crossings, zebra crossings, and unmarked sections of road (specifically: alone, with pedestrian refuge, or paved). Results suggest that at signal-controlled crossings pedestrian right-of-way is erroneously thought to be influenced by the pedestrian signal. Many respondents thought that a pedestrian refuge or paving gave a pedestrian right-of-way at an otherwise unmarked section of road. In many situations more than 20% of both drivers and pedestrians reported that they would take right-of-way. Pedestrian crossing types should be rationalised, and education should be provided regarding rules and responsibilities at available crossings.
authors.affiliation: NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre, The University of NSW, Sydney 2052, Australia. j.hatfield@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.forename: Ralston
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: R F Soames
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Job
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D004779:Environment Design / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012449:Safety; D014505:Urban Population; D016138:Walking