Neurodivergent children face distinct challenges when navigating the road environment. This research aims to build an evidence base on how neurodivergent children experience roads and what can be done to improve their safety and wellbeing.

Phase 1 of this project focused on discovery: understanding and quantifying the specific risks faced by neurodivergent children and gathering insights into the challenges they must overcome.

Initial evidence shows that traits such as impulsivity, sensory sensitivity, anxiety and difficulty judging distance or speed can make using roads particularly challenging. Two thirds of respondents in a 2024 pilot questionnaire reported that sensory or processing differences affected their safety, and over half had experienced a collision or near miss. Some young people described avoiding certain journeys due to anxiety, pointing to wider inequities in access to education and opportunity.

The project brings together a multidisciplinary partnership spanning road safety, psychology, inclusive design and neurodivergence, working alongside local authorities and community organisations to ensure lived experience is central to the research.

This presentation will share emerging themes from interviews, early survey data, walk and talk studies and citizen science. It will outline the key risk factors identified so far and discuss how these insights will shape Phase 2, which will begin developing a Safe System response and evaluating potential interventions to create safer, calmer and more inclusive journeys for neurodivergent children.

Dr Suzy Charman, Executive Director, Road Safety Foundation

Dr Suzy Charman is a leading expert on the Safe System, with over 20 years’ experience.

In her role at RSF, Suzy leads the United Kingdom Road Assessment Programme and is a recognised thought-leader on speed management and infrastructure safety.  

Prior to joining RSF, Suzy served as Head of International Road Safety at TRL and before that played a pivotal role in the establishment of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP).