Effects of Peers on Child Pedestrian Behaviors in a Virtual Traffic Context

OBJECTIVES Research shows that school-aged children are at high risk of pedestrian injury when they cross streets with peers. How peers exert their influence is unknown. Using a fully immersive virtual reality pedestrian environment, this study examined the impact of peers on children's pedestrian behaviors. METHODS 137 children were assigned either to a control, peer observer, or peer-safety or peer-risky modeling condition. Street-crossing behaviors were measured twice (baseline, postbaseline), with group comparisons (control vs. test condition) of postbaseline scores conducted. RESULTS Children who observed a peer modeling risky behaviors imitated this. No significant influences were found in the peer observation or safe modeling conditions. CONCLUSIONS Peers may elevate other children's risk of pedestrian injury through modeling risky crossings. Implications for prevention are discussed.