The impacts of functional performance, behaviour and traffic exposure on road-crossing judgements of young children.

Using data from i) a simulated road-crossing task, ii) a battery of functional performance assessments, and iii) a survey of parents, some factors that may predict poor road-crossing skill were identified. Children aged between 6 and 10 years made road-crossing decisions in a simulated road environment in which time gap and speed of approaching vehicles were manipulated. Functional performance was examined using a range of tools designed to assess cognitive, perceptual, attentional and executive functioning. Parents also provided information on physical activity, exposure to traffic and road safety education. The results suggest that children predominantly made decisions based on distance gap and that younger children (6-7 year olds) were 12 times more likely than older children (8-10 year olds) to make critically incorrect (or unsafe) crossing decisions. Factors found to be associated with incorrect crossing decisions included lower perceptual, attentional, cognitive and executive performance, and independent travel. There were no gender differences associated with incorrect crossing decisions. This study has used a novel and safe way to identify 'at risk' groups of children and the findings have been used to develop and evaluate a practical educational and training program aimed at improving essential skills and strategies to cross roads safely amongst 'at risk' children.