Hazard perception in young cyclists and adult cyclists. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeuwts, Linus H.R.H.; Vansteenkiste, Pieter; Deconinck, Frederik J.A.; Cardon, Greet; Lenoir, Matthieu
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 105(2017)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Bicyclists -- Hazard perception test -- Children -- Situation awareness; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.04.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: Reaction times and eye movements were studied with a hazard perception test in child and adult cyclists. Children show delayed reaction times and time until the first fixation in covert hazards compared to adults. No difference for number of fixations and response rate regarding the hazards. Abstract: Child bicyclists are at greater risk to get involved in a traffic accident. Although hazard perception tests between inexperienced and experienced car drivers revealed significant differences in perceptual-cognitive skills, a similar test for bicyclists is not yet existent. Therefore this study aimed to compare visual search patterns and reaction times of child bicyclists and adult bicyclists utilizing a hazard perception test for cyclists. Seventy-five children and forty-one adults were presented with eleven video clips filmed from the perspective of the bicyclist. The participants were required to press a response button whenever they detected a hazardous situation. Children were found to have significantly delayed reaction times and time until the first fixation on the latent covert hazards compared to adults. The inefficient visual search patterns in children may be attributed to an immature visual system. However, the finding that children fixated later on the hazards and only responded to the covert latent hazards when they became salient indicate difficulties with identifying possible hazards. Altogether, the findings of this study suggest that children's situation awareness is dependent upon experience too, and not just maturation. Therefore, implications for training young bicyclists will be discussed.