New Study Finds Rising Number of Pedestrian Accidents Caused by Distraction

June 26, 2013

Heavy focus is placed on the problem of distracted driving in New York, but many citizens fail to realize the same distractions behind the wheel also exist on foot. A new study has shown the amount of Pedestrian Accidents caused by distractions while walking is on the rise.

The research was conducted by a team from Ohio State University and examined data that was collected from the medical records of 1,500 pedestrians who had emergency room visits following accidents in 2010. The team concluded that the number of individuals who were injured while walking and talking on a cellphone had doubled since 2005. The team also concluded that unless action is taken to correct the problem, the number is expected to double again by 2015.

An article from CBS-New York explains how researchers also found that young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years old are at the highest risk of injury due to a distracted walking accident. The team believes awareness is the best way to battle the problem and that starts with parents teaching their children to put their phones away when walking.

The William Mattar Law Offices and their team of Buffalo Personal Injury Lawyers acknowledge the importance of being vigilant when walking. The firm asks that pedestrians be aware of their surroundings at all times in order to prevent accidents from occurring.