Citation

Hatfield J, Job RFS, Smith K. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2004; 8(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Priority rules relating to various unsignalised crossings (for example zebra crossings, pedestrian refuges, paved "crossings") may be poorly understood, and may be understood differently by pedestrians and drivers. In a field survey conducted in Sydney and Goulburn, 297 people who had just been walking, and 273 people who had just been driving, were asked about priority rules surrounding various crossing situations (depicted on showcards). Two versions of the survey placed respondents in the role of either pedestrian or driver. In the "Walk"/green disc situation pedestrians were believed to have priority, but drivers often intended to take it. Confusion about priority/intentions was evident with pedestrians crossing on flashing "Don't walk" (drivers facing green), crossing toward a pedestrian refuge, and crossing at a paved road-section. Priority beliefs were uninfluenced by whether respondents had been walking or driving, or by survey version.