Walking While Distracted: Pedestrian Injuries Rise Amongst Teens

A study finds that 20% of high school students cross the street while being distracted by a digital device.

1 minute read

September 5, 2013, 9:00 AM PDT

By Alek Miller


A study by the nonprofit Safe Kids Worldwide find that one in five high school students and one in eight middle school students use a digital device while crossing the stree. Injuries among teenagers have risen 25 percent in just five years and older teens account for half of pedestrian deaths among kids under 19.

"According to the study, listening to music and texting were the top distractions. Thirty-nine percent of the students who were crossing the street while distracted were typing on a cell phone and another 39 percent were listening to headphones. About 20 percent of the distracted walkers were talking on the phone and the rest were using another kind of electronic device, such as a tablet or gaming console."

Thursday, August 29, 2013 in WNYC: Transportation Nation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Historic stone structure surrounding natural spring in India with plaques.

Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’

Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.

45 minutes ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Blue Bublr bikes parked at station on sidewalk in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee to Double Bike Share Stations

Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.

1 hour ago - OnMilwaukee

Frosted plexiglass kiosks for outdoor dining installed on Washington DC sidewalk.

DC Extends Application Window for Outdoor Dining Permits

District restaurants will have until the end of November to apply, but businesses with permits in rush hour parking lanes must end operations on July 31.

2 hours ago - DC News