Are you Guilty of Distracted Walking?
By: Scott Perry
Researchers and officials across the country are looking into a 
normally overlooked potential danger- distracted walking.
Distracted walking is a term used for people who are out in public walk while texting or talking on their cell phones. According to an Ohio State University study, in 2010 over 1500 people reported to emergency rooms for treatment related to injuries they suffered due to be distracted by their cell phones while walking. While the number on its face seems low, it represents a six fold increase in reported injuries since 2005. Furthermore, researchers indicate it may be a misleading number since many people do not go to the emergency room for one reason or another.
The studies show that while walking and talking is something we do every day, it still is a distraction that can be noticeably measured. This added risk of injury from distraction helps explain why a New Jersey city began issuing citations for distracted jaywalking.
The risk of injury from pedestrian accidents like walking while talking or texting is real. Therefore, it is best to try to stop and text so that you do not walk into something, someone, or in front of something that can really injure you.
If you or a love one have been injured due to the negligence of someone else, contact a lawyer immediately to find out how to best protect your rights.
