Children's perceptions of a 'self-explaining road' intervention to improve neighbourhood safety

Safe neighbourhood environments can provide important spaces for child activity and well-being. Self-explaining roads (SERs), which reduce vehicle speeds by changing neighbourhood street design, are an intervention with known safety benefits. However, little is known about children's experiences of SERs.

We engaged schoolchildren in developing a project to articulate children's perspectives of SERs. Students actively researched the experiences of other children at their school, and then participated in a researcher-led focus group.

Children emphasised safer spaces for play as an important benefit of SERs. As well as using new designated play spaces adjoining footpaths, children also felt the roadway became safer, and more fun for cycling. In contrast, children reported that parents held mainly negative views of SERs, considering them annoying and inconvenient.

From children's perspective, SERs can provide safe spaces for neighbourhood play, despite limited parental support. Potential benefits for children as well as established safety benefits should inform future implementation of SERs.