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Child pedestrian safety: the role of behavioural science

Donna S Cross and Margaret R Hall
Med J Aust 2005; 182 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06726.x
Published online: 4 April 2005

Environmental strategies must be complemented by behavioural approaches to help children learn to use roads safely

In Australia, pedestrian injury is the leading cause of death among 1–14-year-olds.1 In 2000, 38 child pedestrians in this age group died2 and about 1140 (29 per 100 000) were hospitalised, often with lengthy stays, because of injuries sustained when hit by a vehicle.1 These rates decrease with age and are lowest for 10–14-year-olds.1


  • Child Health Promotion Research Unit, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA.


Correspondence: d.cross@ecu.edu.au

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  • 16. McComas J, MacKay M, Pivik J. Effectiveness of virtual reality for teaching pedestrian safety. Cyberpsychol Behav 2002; 5: 185-190.

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