Fatalities among distracted walkers is on the rise

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – You’ve undoubtedly heard of — and witnessed — the menace of distracting driving.

Now, here’s another digital diversion to worry about — distracted walking.

The percentage of pedestrians killed while using cellphones rose to more than 3.5 percent in 2010 from less than 1 percent in 2004, according to a study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University. The number of pedestrians injured while using their cellphones doubled.

http://www.startribune.com/fatalities-among-distracted-walkers-is-on-the-rise/370022151/