What Is “Distracted Walking”?

Mobile devices are such an everyday part of our lives that it can be hard to remember a time when we didn’t have them and use them constantly. Just imagine – Apple released the iPhone just over 10 years ago in June of 2007. Could Steve Jobs have imagined that we would be so captivated that we couldn’t walk down the street with these devices? Probably not, but here we are – many accidents later.

Now, we use smartphones constantly to connect with friends and family, to check our email, for work, or just to play games. In fact, many times we can become so immersed in the device, we lose track of our surroundings when walking. Distracted walking is a safety hazard not just for the pedestrian, but for everyone around us.

The number of injuries due to distraction have doubled in the past decade. While most injuries occur in people under 40, it’s a special hazard for those under 18 years of age and adults over 80. As we age especially, we tend to have a false sense of our abilities to notice what is going on in our periphery while remaining focused on a mobile device.

The problem has become so pervasive that Fort Lee, New Jersey, has banned texting while walking. And some cities in Japan are experimenting with putting crosswalk lights on the streets themselves to help those using phone to avoid walking into traffic.

Distracted walking creates the potential for a number of injuries ranging from trivial to life threatening. A common danger of distracted walking is tripping or bumping into something. This can result in minor injuries such as bruising or small scrapes or cuts, but a bad fall could lead to sprains, especially in ankles or wrists as you try and catch yourself, broken bones, broken teeth, and concussions.

Far worse injuries can occur from distractedly wandering into traffic. In addition to smaller injuries, this kind of accident could also lead to paralysis, brain injuries, or even death.

While at first you might only imagine potential hazards to yourself from distracted walking, you are potentially liable for injury to others and damage to property. The law may hold a pedestrian crossing against traffic signals due to distracted walking liable for any accidents caused as a result.

If you are walking distractedly and bump into another pedestrian, you may cause them to trip or even stumble off the sidewalk into traffic. This could result in their facing the same injuries from tripping or stepping into traffic as listed above. Your liability in this case could result in a judgment against you for medical bills, compensation for lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Always be aware of your surroundings when walking. Wait to look at your phone until you can stop and give it your full attention. Lower volume in headphones when walking so that you can clearly hear cues around you, like sirens or horns.

By exercising common sense precautions, you can prevent causing yourself needless and possibly serious injury, while also looking out for those around you.

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