Distracted Walkers Causing More Accidents
We all have done it. Get side tracked by our phones and use them while walking around sending a text, scrolling through Facebook, facetiming, skyping on the phone, not paying any attention to where you are going. Getting distracted by your phone is so common now it is referred to as “Distracted Walking”. Distracted walkers are most common among aged 18 to 34, but women aged 55 and older are more likely to suffer serious injuries, including hip fractures, according to a 2013 study in Accident Analysis & Prevention. Visits to emergency rooms for injuries caused by distracted walkers on cell phones have more than tripled since 2013. Thousands of people every year become hospitalized with serious injuries such as shattered pelvises, head injuries, shoulder injuries and rib fractures. The average age of a cell phone user due to the increase and advancement of technology is 10 years of age. With as young of kindergarten age 5, we as parents need to think about the needs and safety of our children.
The National Safety Council says that the rise in distracted cell phone walking injuries is consistent with the increase in cell phone users. The nationwide increase in pedestrian deaths from such things as falling down stairs, getting hit by a car and walking into a glass door prompted the federal government to give grants to some cities to create a method to reduce distracted pedestrians. Peripheral vision drops significantly while a person is texting or talking on the phone. The lack of focus to your surrounding is caused by the focus on your phone. Experts say regardless of the belief that multitasking is possible and safe, the human brain is only designed to pay attention to one thing at a time. Please pay attention to where you are walking. Not paying attention will give you the higher chance of a tragedy striking and you could have prevented it just by waiting to talk, check, or play on your cell phone. This will also reduce the number of injuries and deaths per year if more people just waited to get to where they are going first.
This will lead to less accidents and even deaths caused by cars from people failing to look both ways. Although drivers should always yield for pedestrians, some do not and it can cost you your life. Paying attention at all times where you are at and your surrounding will make everyone safer and happier.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you must call me right away at 1 (800) 556-4769. As your Ohio car accident lawyer, I’ll be there for you. My clients deserve justice and I will do everything I can, I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.
