OK, it happened to me again, yesterday. I was getting ready to cross the street- no one was coming- except for the car that just pulled out of the spot by the curb and almost hit me. One of those danged electric cars that makes no sounds. (I admit it; I was on the curb- but there is a clearly marked pedestrian crossing, which in this area means- STOP if I am on the curb. But, of course, Mr. SaveTheEnvironment (actually it was a Ms.) obviously only cares about non-human things.)
Yes, that’s a funny story. But, it’s a lot less funny when the curb is occupied by a young child. You see, it turns out that children under ten years old have a real problem discerning road and engine noises. (Imagine what that means when the engine makes NO noise- like an electric car.) And, that does not include the fact that children’s field of view is about 1/3 smaller than that of adults.
Dr. Benjamin Barton, along with Drs. Lew, Kovesdi, Cottrell, and Ulrich of the University of Idaho examined 45 adults (19 to 40 y) and 50 children (ages 6 to 9). (The study was underwritten by Nissan Technical Center, North America, with results presented in Accident Analysis and Prevention.) The goal was to discern a potential reason why 13000 children (ages 5 to 9) are injured each years by cars as they cross the street.
Dr. Barton’s lab has been studying road noise- from both conventional and electronic vehicles for some years now. They’ve also examined parental involvement. This time, the Communication and Psychology professionals provided recordings of various traffic sounds to the subjects; the speeds of the vehicles involved were 5 , 12, and 25 mph, as they approached from both directions. The subjects had to indicate when they first heard the vehicle, it’s direction, and when it was at their location.
Generally, the adults in the study noticed the vehicles first, then the 8 and 9 y olds, followed by the 6 and 7 y old subjects. For example, adults noticed the 5 mph vehicle at 48 feet (6.5 seconds to subject), 41 feet for the older children (5.6 seconds to subject) and 35 feet (4.8 seconds to subject) for the youngest.
As the vehicle speed increased, the road noises were louder, so that they were more easily discerned. But, since they now would approach faster, that did not mean greater safety. Interestingly, those vehicles approaching from the left (at least, at the two higher speeds) were better detected (presumably because of our travel rules, keeping to the right of the road), but not well enough for the children. The results for this test (left and right approaching vehicles) showed the adults were correct 99 and 95%, respectively; 89 and 78% for the 8-9 y olds; and 68% and 58% for the youngest children.
The take-away: Yes, your young children may know how to cross the street- but that does not mean you can let them do so, unassisted.
Look both ways http://t.co/sjqZns9hZb via @Adjuvancy
We actually just had an 8 year old boy in a neighboring town die crossing the street. He was jay walking with his 12 year old brother….the town is literally two stop lights but it is on 68 which if you’ve been through Bellefontaine you know it’s rather busy. We need to concentrate on both teaching our kids safety, but driving safe as well. Accidents happen I know but it’s terrible when it’s something that is preventable. I’m glad you didn’t get hit Roy…I’d hate to have seen you damage that car (ok that’s a joke I only tell now since I know you are safe and sound)
Lisa recently posted..Skully Alas We Hardly Knew Ye by Lisa Brandel
Jaywalking is one thing. (My children have always called it RoyWalking; a leftover learned from living in NY.) That truly is a dangerous concept for any child. (I know, the police would include adults, as well. But…)
This is more related to even waiting at the corner- and not recognizing the true speed and location of the approaching car. (Now, add in the “electronic version – and their gooses are cooked.)
Thanks for the comment, Lisa.
That’s interesting Roy. I have heard of issues arising with these quiet cars and the blind who are trying to cross the street but never realized it could reach so far. Knowing kids though any sensible adult wouldn’t have been counting on their hearing anyway. They don’t always have the foresight to listen!
Good info and I’ll be sharing that with my friends who are educators as well.
Bonnie recently posted..Why Meditate?
So glad you are sharing this, Bonnie. If it saves one child, it’s wonderful…
And, having just come back from Atlanta, I was surprised by the vocal admonition and information provided on streetcorners- instead of beeping, the recording actually said- you may cross X street- which changed to Y street, when the light changed. So, the blind would know what street was clear for use.
This is interesting and a good reminder. Great info here.
Bonnie Anderson recently posted..In Receipt of Quite a Receipt
Thanks, Bonnie for the visit and the comment.
i was surprised by the results- and think a lot of others will be, too.