Toward the Development of a National Pedestrian Safety Program: An Evaluative Review of Existing Education Materials

Race, Kathryn E. H. · 1988 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration

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Summary

This 1988 technical report, conducted by the National Safety Council for the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, addresses the need for a coordinated national approach to pedestrian safety. Motivated by the high rate of pedestrian fatalities and injuries—accounting for approximately 18% of annual motor vehicle deaths in the 1980s—and the lack of a unified national program, the study aimed to develop a comprehensive set of educational materials for the "Walk Alert" National Pedestrian Safety Program. The primary objectives were to evaluate the accuracy, quality, and adequacy of existing educational resources, identify information gaps, and recommend priorities for new material development. The methodology involved a systematic collection and evaluative review of existing materials. Researchers contacted 452 organizations, including government agencies, safety councils, public service groups, and private entities, resulting in the receipt of 274 educational materials from 217 sources. These materials, which included print pieces, programs, and audiovisuals, were classified by type and target audience (preschool, elementary, high school, general public, and older adults). The review process utilized a standardized procedure involving independent assessment and group consensus guided by 11 specific criteria, such as content accuracy, appeal, and relevance to major accident types. Materials were further categorized as targeted (specific to pedestrian safety) or nontargeted, and analyzed against ten central message groups, including search behavior, conspicuity, supervision, and alcohol. The review selected 44 high-quality materials for national program use, with a significant majority geared toward children (10 print pieces, 6 programs, and 18 audiovisuals). In contrast, materials for older adults and the general public were scarce, with only three print pieces and five audiovisuals selected for these groups. The analysis revealed that existing materials were often outdated and failed to reflect state-of-the-art information. Significant information gaps were identified across nearly all target groups, particularly for junior high and high school students, older adults, and adults regarding alcohol-related pedestrian safety. Specific deficits were noted in messages concerning search behavior, day and night conspicuity, and materials for grades 4–6. The study concludes that a comprehensive, empirically tested framework of pedestrian safety messages is necessary to address these gaps. It recommends the development of new educational materials prioritized by target group, with specific needs identified for older adults, high school students, and general adult audiences. The report emphasizes that the national program must support the dissemination of these materials, increase awareness among community leaders, and provide funding for grassroots initiatives. Furthermore, it calls for the systematic evaluation of message effectiveness to ensure that educational interventions successfully reduce pedestrian accidents.

Key finding

An evaluative review of 274 pedestrian safety educational materials identified significant information gaps and outdated content, leading to the selection of 44 high-quality materials for national use, predominantly targeting children.

Methodology

dataset

Sample size: 274

Provenance

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Topics

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• child pedestrian
• pedestrian behavior perception