Walking While Distracted: Pedestrian Injuries Rise Amongst Teens

A study finds that 20% of high school students cross the street while being distracted by a digital device.

1 minute read

September 5, 2013, 9:00 AM PDT

By Alek Miller


A study by the nonprofit Safe Kids Worldwide find that one in five high school students and one in eight middle school students use a digital device while crossing the stree. Injuries among teenagers have risen 25 percent in just five years and older teens account for half of pedestrian deaths among kids under 19.

"According to the study, listening to music and texting were the top distractions. Thirty-nine percent of the students who were crossing the street while distracted were typing on a cell phone and another 39 percent were listening to headphones. About 20 percent of the distracted walkers were talking on the phone and the rest were using another kind of electronic device, such as a tablet or gaming console."

Thursday, August 29, 2013 in WNYC: Transportation Nation

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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