40 percent of teens have been struck or nearly struck by car while walking: survey
Washington – A recent survey of more than 1,000 teens found that almost half have been distracted by a mobile device when walking across a street.
Safe Kids Worldwide surveyed 1,040 teens 13 to 18 years old about their pedestrian behaviors. Forty percent of the teens reported they have been struck or nearly struck by a car, bike or motorcycle, according to the report, released Sept. 30.
Among teens who said they had been struck or almost struck while crossing a street:
- 47 percent were listening to music
- 40 percent ran across the street
- 37 percent crossed from the middle of the block
- 20 percent were talking on the phone
- 18 percent were texting
- 8 percent were looking at websites on their phone
Additionally, 24 percent of teens said the person behind the wheel was driving too fast, 13 percent admitted to not looking around adequately and 10 percent said the driver wasn’t paying attention.
Safe Kids offers these guidelines:
- Do not use phones or headphones when crossing a street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Stay alert when it is dark.
- Cross at a traffic signal or crosswalk.