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Smartphones May Be To Blame For Unprecedented Spike In Pedestrian Deaths, Says Report (cnn.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the don't-text-and-drive dept.

According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the United States saw its largest annual increase in pedestrian fatalities since such record keeping began 40 years ago. "The [association] estimated there were 6,000 pedestrian deaths in 2016, the highest number in more than 20 years," reports CNN. "Since 2010, pedestrian fatalities have grown at four times the rate of overall traffic deaths." From the report: The thing that has changed dramatically in recent years is smartphone use. The volume of wireless data used from 2014 to 2015 more than doubled, according to the Wireless Association. Drivers and pedestrians who are distracted by their smartphones are less likely to be aware of their surroundings, creating the potential for danger. The Governors Highway Safety Association looked at data from the first six months of 2016 that came from 50 state highway safety offices and the District of Columbia. The complete data will be available later this year. The findings come as traffic safety experts have called for totally eliminating deaths on roadways. Near-term solutions include designing roads and vehicles to be safer. Cutting down on speeding and drunk driving are obvious targets.

2 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Smartphone using drivers by emj · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The biggest problem is the infrastructure, drivers and cars not pedestrians, so I think you are missing the point completly.

    I've often wondered why people look away from the act of random terror that cars subject us to in everyday life, instead the victims get blamed. At some point you have to understand that cars are a big health problem.

  2. Re: Darwin at work by Alumoi · · Score: 3, Interesting

    When I'm out walking, I expect drivers to stop at stop signs and red lights, but I have to trust that they will.

    When I'm out driving I expect pedestrians to stop and look both ways BEFORE crossing the street, but I have to trust that they will.
    When I'm out driving I expect pedestrians to cross the street ONLY at marked places, but I have to trust that they will. ....
    Shall I go on?