Young people in particular may enjoy listening to their iPod while walking or jogging down the street. Although it may seem harmless, a recent study found that pedestrians have a higher risk of being hit if they are listening to music while crossing the street.
In 2008, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States. The number of pedestrians hit and injured by motor vehicles was 69,000. Children and those over age 65 are the most at risk. These statistics demonstrate that pedestrians have to be vigilant while walking, especially in an urban environment.
Alabama Study Finds Music More Distracting Than Texting
Dr. David Schwebel, director of the Youth Safety Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), was surprised to find that listening to music is the most dangerous activity when crossing a street. As part of the study, a virtual environment lab was set up to simulate cars moving in multiple directions at 30 mph. More than 125 university students crossed a two-lane road under a variety of conditions.
The results of the virtual study were that:
- Students who crossed the street without distraction had the lowest risk of being hit (6 percent).
- The risk increased while talking on a phone (12 percent) and texting (25 percent).
- Students were at the highest risk of being hit while listening to music (33 percent).
The increasing availability of hand-held devices increases the risk of pedestrian accidents. In early 2010 the New York Times reported that emergency room visits for pedestrians distracted by phones of iPods doubled each year between 2006 and 2008.
Some lawmakers have turned their attention to pedestrian safety following the lead of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who has been fighting a nationwide campaign against distracted driving. Researchers are finding that not all mobile devices distract equally, but the safest course is to get rid of distractions while crossing the street.
If you or a loved one is hit and injured by a motor vehicle while walking contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you about rights and discuss your available options.
