New Report Draws Parallels between Pedestrians and Wildebeest
Wildebeest waiting nervously at a river’s edge for the first to cross in a bid to outsmart patrolling crocodiles. Shoals of fish swimming in compact formation, sticking together in an attempt to reduce the chance of being eaten. Penguins waiting at the edge of an ice flow for a plucky individual to dive into the water first before the rest follow in a bid to avoid waiting seals.
Ring any bells?
Apparently it should. A recent report headed by biologist Dr Jolyon Faria of Princeton University has revealed that the herding behaviour common in the natural world is mirrored by pedestrians when crossing the road.
Dr Faria found that pedestrians were up to 2.5 times more likely cross a busy road if someone else stepped out in front of the traffic first. Men were also more likely to follow others into the road than females. In some cases individuals started to cross before diving back to the kerb after realising the danger they were in.
It is hoped that the research might help to make people think twice before stepping out into the road. Around 13,000 pedestrians are injured each year crossing the road in the UK.
Click here to read more on the Telegraph.
