Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health
Science, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Tracy Van Oss, 1604 Hartford Turnpike,
North Haven, CT 06473, USA. Tel.: +1 203 582 3873; Fax: +1 203 582 6715;
E-mail: Tracy.Vanoss@quinnipiac.edu
Abstract: Pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of injury related
death for children. The purpose of this research project was to determine the
effectiveness of pedestrian and road traffic safety education with children, as
part of the Walk This Way program through Safe Kids USA. Through the
implementation of PHOTOVOICE, a project that captured children's narratives
coinciding with a photograph, children engaged in community exploration to
identify pedestrian hazards in their communities and explore possible solutions
utilizing their photography and narrations. Children participated in an
engaging educational session, a community fieldtrip, and reflection. Results
concluded that, despite a small increase in post test scores, an increase in
awareness of hazards in the community and successful identification of
community hazards was achieved. The goal of this research project was determine
the effectiveness of a hands-on pedestrian and road traffic safety educational
program with children. The results of this research project will be integrated
with similar projects completed across the country through the program Walk
This Way with Safe Kids USA. Both this research project and the Walk This Way
program aim to promote behavior change in children and create safer communities
to reduce pedestrian related injury. The overall goal of this research project
andthe Walk This Way program is to increase education on a national level in
regards to pedestrian safety for children and provide a basis for lobbying for
public policy changes pertaining to road and pedestrian safety.
