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Increasing child pedestrian and cyclist visibility: cluster randomised controlled trial
C A Mulvaney1, D Kendrick, M C Watson
1Division of Primary Care, 13th Floor, Tower Building, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK. Caroline.Mulvaney@nottingham.ac.uk
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|March 16, 2006
Summary
Providing free visibility aids significantly increased their use among primary school children for up to eight weeks. This road safety intervention is recommended for children to enhance visibility and prevent injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pedestrian safety
- Child injury prevention
- Road safety interventions
Background:
- Child pedestrian and cyclist injuries remain a concern.
- Limited data exist on visibility aid use and interventions for children.
- Visibility aids can potentially reduce child injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the use of free visibility aids among primary school children.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of providing visibility aids and educational material.
- To determine the duration of increased visibility aid use.
Main Methods:
- Cluster randomised controlled trial involving 377 children aged 7-9 years in Nottingham, UK.
- Intervention group received reflective/fluorescent slap wraps, stickers, and educational material.
- Observers recorded visibility aid use at baseline, one, and eight weeks.
Main Results:
- Children receiving free aids were significantly more likely to use them at one week (aOR 59.5) and eight weeks (aOR 5.9).
- The intervention demonstrated a sustained increase in visibility aid usage.
- Statistical analysis used random effects logistic regression.
Conclusions:
- Free visibility aids combined with road safety education significantly boost children's use of these aids.
- The positive effect on visibility aid use lasted up to eight weeks during winter.
- Campaigns providing free visibility aids to primary school children are recommended.