Recently, the Huffington Post did an article featuring a new study that was published in the Accident Analysis and Prevention Journal. According to this study there have been several cases of 'distracted walkers' reported as of late. As a result of more people using cellular phones while walking, there has been a significant increase in injuries surrounding distracted walkers; in particular the research demonstrates that these injuries have doubled since 2005. It also appears that if current trends continue the number of injuries will double again between 2010 and 2015, as was suggested by study researcher Jack Nasar, professor at Ohio State University.
The study included data analysis demonstrating a stark contrast in injuries between 2004 & 2010 for cell-phone related injuries among pedestrians. In 2004, there were 559 related injuries that required treatment in emergency rooms and in 2010 that number skyrocketed to more than 1,500. Researchers found that it was the age group of 16 and 25, who were most likely to be injured from cell phone-related distracted walking. Interestingly it was talking on the cell phone that was linked to more injuries rather than texting on the cell phone. However, this study outlined that, "researchers noted that this finding doesn't mean texting-while-walking is safer than talking-while-walking - instead, it might just mean that it's easier to talk while walking, so more people do it."
Gluckstein Personal Injury Lawyers finds studies such as this one fascinating and eye opening. It is essential to realize where injuries are taking place and what injuries are on the rise, in order to create more awareness and lower the public's chances of injury. Especially since electronics are responsible for 95% of distracted driving, it is interesting to see how they are also responsible now for distracted walking. This is something the public needs to be more aware of.
References:
Expertise.
Share
Subscribe to our Newsletter