It only takes a few seconds while typing on your cell phone to become distracted. That's why it's so important to put your devices down when driving or crossing the street. As children and teens head back to school soon, it is vital to spread the word on how dangerous distracted driving and walking can be.
Distracted Walking Tips:
-Do not walk, talk and text.
-If you have to talk or text, move out of the way of others and to the side of the walkway.
-Do not cross or walk in the street while using an electronic device.
-Do not walk with headphones in your ears.
-Be aware of your surroundings, especially in congested areas.
ADDITIONAL FACTS: DISTRACTED DRIVING AND WALKING:
SAFE KIDS USA
• 2011: KIDS 13-17 SEND MORE THAN 3,400 TEXTS A MONTH
• EQUAL TO 7 MESSAGES EVERY WAKING HOUR
• 2015: KIDS 13-17 TEEN FEMALES SEND 4,050 TEXTS PER MONTH, WHILE TEEN MALES SEND 2,539
• TEENS TEXTING HAS INCREASED 8% IN THE LAST YEAR
PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS
• EXPECT DRIVERS AROUND SCHOOLS TO BE ON BEST BEHAVIOR
• STUDIES SHOW OPPOSITE TO BE TRUE WITH DISTRACTED DRIVING
• 1 OUT OF EVERY 6 DRIVERS IN SCHOOL ZONES ARE DISTRACTED
• BELIEVE DRIVING SKILLS OF DISTRACTED DRIVERS TO BE AS BAD AS OR WORSE THAN THAT OF AN INTOXICATED DRIVER
• UNBELTED DRIVERS 34% MORE LIKELY TO BE DISTRACTED THAN BELTED DRIVERS
• AFTERNOON DRIVERS 22% MORE LIKELY TO BE DISTRACTED THAN MORNING DRIVERS. SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE 1 IN 3 CHILD PEDESTRIAN DEATHS OCCUR BETWEEN 3P-7P THUS MAKING AFTERNOONS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME FOR CHILDREN TO WALK
Resources: safekids.org;nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Corporate/First-Student/Distracted-walking.pdf;research081