Most Distracted Walking Injuries Occur at Home
A National Safety Council report with some surprising stats says distracted walking injuries are increasing.
According to a report from the National Safety Council, 52 percent of distracted walking incidents involving cell phones happen at home. The report tracks a number of trends regarding distracted walking, saying 68 percent of those injured are women and 54 percent are people under the age of 40.
The increase in distracted walking injuries is so clear that it was included in the annual NSC report Injury Facts for the first time. This report quells the myth that most distracted walking injuries occur adjacent to roadways.
"Whether we are in the car or on foot, it is important to be aware of our surroundings, even if they are familiar,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "More than half of all unintentional injuries each year happen at home, so don't take your safety for granted. No call, text, or update is worth an injury.”
The study also found that 21 percent of those injured by distracted walking were 71 and older and that talking on the phone accounted for 62 percent of injuries.