SAFETeen peer-pressure and interaction questionnaires launched

The young people in traffic are more at risk than adults. The SAFETeen project pays attention to road safety, young people´s interaction and peer-pressure when commuting in traffic environments in Finland and elsewhere in Europe. The project develops tools for digital learning environments and a guide for teachers. As part of the SAFETeen program research activities, children and young people in Rauma, Finland have participated in group discussions during the academic year in order to make the young people’s own voices heard. In the focus group interviews, the young people highlighted darkness and lube; safety flaws in the urban infrastructure, as well as inadequately equipped mobility equipment, such as the lack of bicycle lights and reflectors. As a risk-causing situation, the interviewees cited urgency, especially in the mornings when
heading to school.

The insights gained from the focus group interviews were deepened with the survey. The surveys are carried out for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In the survey, respondents are presented with descriptions of traffic situations, which include interaction, elements of peer pressure and friends. The survey results are utilized in a virtual learning environment, where the player’s task is to develop decision- making models in situations where peer pressure poses an increased risk of road traffic injuries. Once the project is completed, the tools related to road safety and group pressure will remain at the disposal of teachers teaching road safety.

Collaboration with Traffic Safety Council Liikenneturva

The program receives expertise and support from the Finnish Traffic Safety Council Liikenneturva.  For young people, it is more common than for adults to have an aimlessness of movement than just to move from one place to another. Young people’s serious road traffic injuries are characterized by high speeds, derailment, lack of safety equipment and substance abuse. There are many ways to promote safety, one of which is traffic education. The role of parents is emphasized because they both give the young person an example and enable the young person to move around, says Contact Manager Elias Ruutti from the Finnish Road Safety Council. More information both in Finnish and in English can be found on the website of Liikenneturva which contains traffic safety bulletins and information for children and young people, teachers, and for everyone.