Many motorists – and some policeman – believe there’s no excuse for knocking down a pedestrian. But accident figures are increasing and they’re being attributed to pedestrians being so distracted by their mobile phones that that can barely remember crossing the road. The rise is so alarming some people are calling for new laws governing pedestrian use of mobile phones.
The latest research from Confused.com found more than a quarter of motorists admitted they had nearly hit a pedestrian who was distracted by their phone. One in seven (14 per cent) pedestrians admitted to crossing the road without looking, so engaged where they in using their mobile phone that they were oblivious to their surroundings.
Most worryingly, it’s young people who are most at risk. The survey reported that almost 70 per cent of 18-24 year-olds use their mobile phones while walking. Last year, there were a total of 24,033 reported pedestrian casualties on UK roads with an increase of 35 per cent of pedestrians under 18 years-old.
“Smartphones give us the ability to be in constant communication…[and] many people constantly check their mobile phones,” says Gemma Stanbury, Head of Motor Insurance at Confused.com. “There is already much being done to raise awareness around the dangers of motorists using their mobile phones behind the wheel, but it is the responsibility of all road users [including] pedestrians, to pay full attention when on the roads.
