Driving strategies among younger and older drivers when encountering children

Results are presented of a study into how drivers say they behave and how they actually behave in traffic situations in which children are involved. An analysis was made of the most important types of encounters in which drivers become involved in accidents with children. On the basis of accident surveys and psychological theories on information processing, it was assessed by means of a questionnaire what knowledge drivers have concerning their own behavior in these situations, as well as their expectations about typical child behavior. Actual behavior of drivers in these situations was investigated by assessing video recordings of their behavior in driving a one hour standard track through residential areas. From the questionnaire it appeared that younger drivers reported more frequently dangerous behavior than older drivers. The recordings showed that younger drivers also behaved more dangerously during child encounters. This result could not be explained by differences in speed, but could by the fact that younger drivers detected the children less frequently than older drivers. Implications for the contents of mass media campaigns and their evaluation are discussed.