Is distracted walking in Long Island as dangerous as Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is a commonly heard phrase that can describe someone who uses their cellphone or other digital device while operating a motor vehicle. There is also “distracting walking”. Pedestrians who cross streets while texting, talking or browsing social media on their cellphones are also at risk for causing an accident. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Long Island and New York State had many distracted or negligent pedestrian deaths in 2016. Four states (California, Florida, Texas, and New York) account for 42 percent of all pedestrian deaths. Walking too slowly across the street, stopping in the middle of the street and inadvertently walking off a sidewalk into traffic are just a few ways distracting walking can cause pedestrian-vehicle accidents.

Efforts to Decrease Distracted Walking Injuries in Long Island

Long Island and other highly populated areas in the U.S are trying to reduce distracted-walking accidents. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, noteworthy examples of efforts to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries:

• Refuge island in the middle of busy streets
• Pedestrian underpasses and overpasses
• Lengthening pedestrian signals to allow for more time to cross streets
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons
• Improving street lights
• Making crosswalks highly visible by maintaining painted lines
• Mounting rapid-flashing beacons to pedestrian crossing signs
• Ensuring speed limit signs can be clearly seen by drivers

Has a Long Island Distracted Walker Caused You to Have an Accident?

If you were injured in a Long Island pedestrian accident, call William Mattar today to schedule a free consultation appointment.