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In a blog posted October 2, 2012, “Pedestrians, Watch Out” we discussed how motorists and pedestrians can be distracted creating a dangerous situation. Now there is new information on how widespread the problems of “distracted walking” are and the dangers which result.   

A distracted walking study was conducted last summer in Seattle, Washington.  The results, reported in the December 10, 2012 issue of the journal “Injury Prevention”  show that 29.8% of the 1,100 plus walkers involved in accidents were using electronic devices as they navigated intersections where pedestrians had been hit in the past.  The study confirmed that the most at risk pedestrians are those texting at intersections.

Safety advocates are suggesting that signs and public service announcements need to promote “put down your cell phone at crosswalks”. Advocates are also suggesting a need to issue fines to distracted walkers. In 2011  there were 497 pedestrians killed in Florida and many times that number injured according to the Florida Department of Transportation. 

Attorney Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. says, “Most of us know the dangers of texting and driving but the serious dangers of distracted walking are not as well known. Texting, listening to music, or even talking to a walking companion at an intersection distract from the basics of looking both ways before crossing, and watching the signals.  The combination of a distracted walker and a distracted driver can be a disaster. Don’t text and walk and don’t text and drive. Florida has laws for pedestrians and motorists to help keep us safe.  Stay alive by following them.”

Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.