Teens and Distraction

An In-Depth Look at Teens’ Walking Behaviors

Distraction may be an important factor in many pedestrian injuries. One in five high school students and one in eight middle school students crosses the street while distracted, according to a new research report released by Safe Kids Worldwide.

Distraction can take many different forms, from talking with friends to texting. What makes technological distraction different is that it takes a person’s eyes or ears off of what’s going on around them. It’s hard to hear cars while listening to music at full volume; it’s also hard to see cars while composing the perfect text.

SafeKids.org recently published the report, “Teens and Distraction: An In-Depth Look at Teens’ Walking Behaviors,” presents an observational study that recorded more than 34,000 middle and high school students crossing the street in a school zone. Conducted in 17 states and 68 schools, the study looked at whether teens are crossing the street while distracted, and if so, what devices they are using. No study until now has looked at how common distracted walking is among teenagers, or asked what teens think about their safety while walking.

Click here to read full report.