While research often emphasizes driver error, pedestrian actions contribute to around 10% of accidents. In addition, over three-quarters of traffic injuries and fatalities occur in urban areas where pedestrians and drivers interact the most, underlining the urgent need to understand the factors shaping pedestrian behavior. This study investigates the complex relationship between pedestrians' attitudes, behaviors and traffic climate.
More specifically, we aimed to explore how pedestrians' attitudes (toward traffic rules and other road users) relate to their behaviors (violations, lapses, aggressive, and positive behaviors) under the moderating effects of traffic climate (external affective demands, internal requirements, and functionality).
A correlational study was conducted with 300 participants in Türkiye using an online survey. Standardized instruments, including the Pedestrian Behavior Scale, Pedestrian Attitudes Scale, and Mini-Traffic Climate Scale, were utilized. The data were analyzed using Bivariate Correlation and moderation analyses (Hayes, PROCESS, Model 1).
Findings revealed that demographic factors like age and socio-economic status were negatively with to violations and lapses. Sceptical attitudes towards traffic rules (high scores) were associated with higher frequencies of violations, lapses, and aggressive behaviors. Crucially, the 'internal requirements' dimension of traffic climate (a pedestrian's perceived ability to navigate traffic) significantly moderated the attitude-behavior link. Such that, at low levels of perceived internal requirements, sceptical attitudes towards rules predicted fewer positive behaviors. Whereas, at high levels of perceived internal requirements, critical attitudes towards other road users (high scores) predicted more aggressive behaviors.
The pattern of results suggests that pedestrian behavior is shaped by a dynamic interplay between individual attitudes and perceptions of the traffic system. Effective safety interventions should therefore adopt a multi-faceted approach considering context and culture specific issues, targeting attitude change campaigns that can foster rule adherence and promote communication and mutual consideration among road users to enhance safety for all road users.