A review is presented of a number of aspects which are presumed to underlie traffic behaviour, viz general psychological functions and specific skills, knowledge and attitudes. The degree to which specific functions and skills can play a limiting role in the adequate performance of traffic tasks is investigated on the basis of the available psychological developmental literature. In addition, the degree to which the lack of knowledge of traffic rules and age-related attitudes towards traffic and traffic participation contribute to the increased risk found for young cyclists and moped riders is investigated. The conclusion is drawn that information processing and memory capacity develop even after ten years of age. This development can be attributed largely to the knowledge of, and experience with the stimuli that are usually used in the reported experiments. In most age-groups definite deficits in knowledge can be found, in particular with regard to priority situations. There appears to be a large discrepancy amongst young cyclists and moped riders between the mostly positive general attitudes and the self-reported behaviour in specific situations. Some hypotheses are formulated about the implications of these conclusions for the actual performance of the traffic tasks and for the high accident involvement of these groups of traffic participants. In young cyclists as well as in young moped riders an overload of the information processing system can be assumed due to their insufficient attention to the traffic task. Young cyclists are further hampered by their lack of knowledge and experience, whereas amongst young moped riders youth-specific behaviour, such as speeding, increases their risk of accident involvement.
Abstract