Courtney Coughenour1, James Abelar1, Jennifer Pharr1, Chien Lung-Chang1, Ashok Singh2. 1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health, 4505 S. Maryland Pkway, Box 3064, Las Vegas, NV 89154. 2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, 4505 S. Maryland Pkway, Box 6021, Las Vegas, NV 89154.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pedestrian crashes are not equitably distributed; people of color and males are overburdened. The aim of this study was to examine if driver yielding behavior differed based on gender and skin color of the pedestrian, and the estimated car cost at two midblock crosswalks in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. METHODS: One white and one black female and one white and one black male crossed the intersection in a similar, prescribed manner. Crossings were video recorded. Driver yielding behavior was documented. The cost of car was estimated by cross referencing manufacturing websites and averaging the high and low values of estimated private sale. Generalized linear mixed model was applied, nesting within crossing attempt and within streets. RESULTS: Of 461 cars, 27.98% yielded to pedestrians. Cars yielded more frequently for females (31.33%) and whites (31.17%) compared to males (24.06%) and non-whites (24.78%). Cost of car was a significant predictor of driver yielding (OR = 0.97; p = 0.0307); odds of yielding decreased 3% per $1000 increase. DISCUSSION: Driver yielding differed by cost of cars. Given previous findings, future research is needed to further examine gender and racial disparities in pedestrian crashes. Findings are significant for public health and pedestrian safety, especially given the upward trend in crash rates.
INTRODUCTION: Pedestrian crashes are not equitably distributed; people of color and males are overburdened. The aim of this study was to examine if driver yielding behavior differed based on gender and skin color of the pedestrian, and the estimated car cost at two midblock crosswalks in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. METHODS: One white and one black female and one white and one black male crossed the intersection in a similar, prescribed manner. Crossings were video recorded. Driver yielding behavior was documented. The cost of car was estimated by cross referencing manufacturing websites and averaging the high and low values of estimated private sale. Generalized linear mixed model was applied, nesting within crossing attempt and within streets. RESULTS: Of 461 cars, 27.98% yielded to pedestrians. Cars yielded more frequently for females (31.33%) and whites (31.17%) compared to males (24.06%) and non-whites (24.78%). Cost of car was a significant predictor of driver yielding (OR = 0.97; p = 0.0307); odds of yielding decreased 3% per $1000 increase. DISCUSSION: Driver yielding differed by cost of cars. Given previous findings, future research is needed to further examine gender and racial disparities in pedestrian crashes. Findings are significant for public health and pedestrian safety, especially given the upward trend in crash rates.
Entities:
Keywords:
active transport; bias; health disparity; health equity; pedestrian crash; public health
Authors: Paul K Piff; Daniel M Stancato; Stéphane Côté; Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton; Dacher Keltner Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2012-02-27 Impact factor: 11.205