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Contributors to pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours during road crossings in Romania
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Contributors to pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours during road crossings in Romania

Cara Hamann, Diana Dulf, Erika Baragan-Andrada, Morgan Price and Corinne Peek-Asa
Injury prevention, Vol.23(6), pp.370-376
12/2017
DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2016-042219
PMCID: PMC5554744
PMID: 28193714
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/5554744View
Open Access

Abstract

Pedestrian fatalities due to collisions with motor vehicles are a large public health problem in Romania, ranking them among the highest in Eastern Europe. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of crash factors by examining how roadway and environmental characteristics contribute to pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours at pedestrian MVC (PMVC) locations in Cluj County, Romania. A sample of PMVC locations was selected from the 2010 Cluj County police reported crash database for on-site examination. A total of 100 sites were visited to collect details on site characteristics and typical pedestrian and driver behaviours. Variable distributions were examined and rate ratios of pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours were calculated. Pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours were observed at rates of 6.3 and 24.3 per 100 observed pedestrians. The majority of distractions were related to electronic device use. Risky behaviours were evenly split between unpredictable, partial use of a crosswalk and midblock illegal crossings. Distractions and risky behaviours decreased as the number of pedestrians and average vehicle speeds at a site increased. RR of distraction was higher at intersections and locations with crosswalks. Pedestrian distraction was highly correlated with pedestrian risky behaviours at PMVC locations in Romania. Higher pedestrian volume was protective against pedestrian distraction and risky behaviours. Locations with painted crosswalks had increased distraction. Targeted distraction prevention, particularly at intersections and crosswalk locations, may contribute to the prevention of PMVCs.
Romania Walking - injuries Humans Risk-Taking Attention Environment Design Pedestrians - statistics & numerical data Safety Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control

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