Distracted Walkers: New Precautions Due to the Growing Danger

The number of injuries and deaths related to distracted walkers is soaring, and cities are beginning to take notice. New laws restricting the use of mobile phones are being implemented across the world in city limits, changing pedestrian behaviors.

According to the National Safety Council, from 256 injured in 2005 being a distracted walker, to 5987 deaths in 2016, officials are deciding something needs to be done. This represents a six-fold increase, only sure to rise in the future. Within the past year, there has been a 9% increase in fatalities related to pedestrians being preoccupied with their phones.

In cities like Chicago and New York, safety in the streets is known to locals but is not something on the minds of people from suburban areas or small towns. In order to keep these pedestrians safe, it is vital to make people more aware when they are on the streets.

“Everyone knows if you’re on a phone and not paying attention to cars you’re taking a risk. Chicago people will cross if they don’t see cars, even if the light is no walk,” said Kelsey Denvir, a student attending college in downtown Chicago.

Despite the signs, many people will cross if they do not see a car coming. Like Denvir, if there appears to be no car coming, they will take the risk. Trouble arises when these people are trying to multitask and a vehicle suddenly comes. Whether these people are listening to music, texting, or on the phone, even if they look, their attention is divided – creating accidents.

In Chongqing, China, a footpath specifically dedicated to phone users was introduced. Similarly, Washington DC followed in their footsteps, quite literally. In 2012, Philadelphia introduced an “e-lane” for smartphone users. This ended up being an April Fool’s joke by the city, but nonetheless, the act informed citizens of the growing problem. The Utah Transit Authority began to fine people $50 for walking near trains while distracted by a mobile device.

Although cities are taking initiative with regards to the problem, states are not getting involved. The issue is being left to cities because of the variations in dynamics of downtown areas with dense pedestrian populations. There isn’t one law that will work for every city or public transport area.

The issue of distracted walkers is only growing with the growth of mobile devices. Nearly two-thirds of the US population now owns a phone. These people are putting themselves at risk when they decide to use them in heavily-trafficked areas.

It has become more common for cities to implement laws against texting while driving, but walking while talking or texting is not frequently thought of. With the most recent Apple update, 11.0, while Bluetooth is connected to a car, the phone will block notifications from coming in. This update will help drivers to be more focused, but as is, there isn’t anything stopping pedestrians from using their smartphones in city limits.

When people are in familiar areas, people assume nothing will happen, because they know the area so well. As the US National Safety Council states, 52% of accidents involving a distracted pedestrian happen in the walker’s home area. Visitors to a city, being unaware of an area, will be more careful.

Although the first pedestrian crossings have been found in the city of Pompeii, the modern introduction of the crosswalk came in Westminster, London in 1868. While this greatly reduced traffic-related injuries, with new technology and the introduction of cell phones, there have been more issues.

Some crosswalks have flashing lights, others with noises in addition to the lights, and now some speak, telling the pedestrians to “wait.” Despite these advancements of signals, people take their own initiative and cross on their own accord.

Within the University of Denver campus, students and drivers meet every day at the crosswalk on Evans, connecting the north to the south side of the campus. Before the addition of the crosswalk, several injuries occurred.

In addition to this heavily trafficked street, the surrounding boulevards framing the campus see many incidents, resulting in pedestrian injuries. Though not all incidences are related to phone use, an overwhelming majority do.

Speaking with the University of Denver Campus Safety officers enforced how important the issue is. At DU, not only is phone use a problem while crossing streets. Distracted walkers and bikers or boarders have many collisions. When people are preoccupied, they miss the signals, resulting in an accident. In addition to this, walkers who are preoccupied are less aware of their surroundings, affecting their safety, particularly at night.

Recently in Honolulu near the University of Hawaii, a law was placed to reduce the number of pedestrians using a cellular device. People can now be fined up to $50 on occasion or $500 if a repeat offender. Cities like Honolulu are not taking this issue lightly, but making sure something is being done to stop the problem.

Similarly, officers in Chicago and around the US in large cities have begun to fine people, most commonly $50, though there are not many laws prohibiting the act. Though some agree these precautions must be taken, others disagree and say it is unnecessary and a violation of their rights.

“With fining, there are so many variations on what happened, so it wouldn’t always be fair. It seems like fining for this is overdoing it, but I don’t know a way to help prevent it” said Denvir.

Precautions like Utah, Honolulu, and Chongqing have taken will be the answer. Like distracted drivers with steering wheels that vibrate to help them stay in their lane, phones and smartwatches may one day vibrate when near moving vehicles to reduce accidents.