The impact of the ‘school run’ on road traffic accidents: A spatio-temporal analysis

Engineering and improved road safety education has resulted in an overall decrease in road traffic accident numbers in Christchurch, New Zealand. The temporal trends of crash data from 1980 to 2004 reveal that lowering of crash rates is not occurring at a uniform rate throughout the day, with comparative increases in crash rates occurring during morning rush hour, and during the ’school run’. No spatial clustering around schools was identified. This suggests that policies to reduce school travel related road accidents need to be focused on reducing overall traffic levels rather than focusing geographically on areas in the immediate vicinity of schools.

Research highlights
► Road traffic accidents have declined in Christchurch, NZ over the past 25 years.
► The lowering of crash rates is not occurring at a uniform rate throughout the day.
► There have been comparative increases in crash rates during the ‘school run’.
► No spatial clustering around schools was identified.
► Policies should target reducing overall traffic levels rather actions near schools.