Impact of a pilot walking school bus intervention on children's pedestrian safety behaviors: a pilot study

Health Place. 2012 Jan;18(1):24-30. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2011.07.004.

Abstract

Walking school buses (WSB) increased children's physical activity, but impact on pedestrian safety behaviors (PSB) is unknown. We tested the feasibility of a protocol evaluating changes to PSB during a WSB program. Outcomes were school-level street crossing PSB prior to (Time 1) and during weeks 4-5 (Time 2) of the WSB. The protocol collected 1252 observations at Time 1 and 2548 at Time 2. Mixed model analyses yielded: intervention schoolchildren had 5-fold higher odds (p<0.01) of crossing at the corner/crosswalk but 5-fold lower odds (p<0.01) of stopping at the curb. The protocol appears feasible for documenting changes to school-level PSB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Parents
  • Pilot Projects
  • Safety*
  • Schools / organization & administration*
  • Schools / standards
  • United States
  • Walking* / standards