Children's competences as road users : the relevance of child development theory and research. Commissioned by the Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales RTA, Road Safety and Traffic Management Directorate.

This report reviews a large body of research and theory on aspects of child development that can help elucidate the factors involved in young children's limited competence in traffic, and in the significant changes that occur as they develop. As is shown in the body of the report, information from this research has significant implications for new directions for road safety education, and for effective protective measures for children. It also indicates which factors influence young children's behaviour as road users, and how these factors should be taken into account when designing measures to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving young children. Research in child development indicates that it will take many years before children develop the necessary competence to behave safely as pedestrians or cyclists. The report emphasises the fact that, although young children do not have the ability and understanding, too much is often expected of them. It also distinguishes between different theories on and research directions in child development, and highlights the common element of these - the fact that it is the complex interaction between environmental and innate factors that brings about children's development. Some attention is first given in this report to issues in child development relevant to protective measures and rules, but the main focus is on the various types of development necessary before children can safely be independent in traffic situations.