In 2017 there were 5,984 pedestrians killed. The last time we saw 6,000 pedestrians killed in one year was 1990 and ever since it has been on the decline until 2016.
Don’t be a “digital deadwalker”. A 2015 study by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) finds that more than 78 of U.S. adults believe that distracted walking is a “serious” issue; however, 74 percent of Americans say “other people” are usually or always walking while distracted, while only 29 percent say the same about themselves. This sense of “it’s not me, it’s you” cuts across a range of distracted walking behaviors:
- 90 % say they see walkers talking on the phone and 37 % admit doing so themselves
- 88 % are engaging in conversation vs. 75 % themselves
- 88 % are listening to music vs. 34 % themselves
- 85 % are using a smartphone vs. 28 % themselves
- 64 % are generally “zoning out,” or not focused on walking vs. 38 % themselves.
Originally Posted to the Idealease Safety Bulletin