Why ‘distracted walking’ needs more attention than you thought

If you thought it is okay to use your smartphone while crossing the road or simply walking, think again. Distracted walking is far more dangerous that you thought.

The next time you step out of your house, be conscious of not texting your friend while walking. According to a new study, ‘distracted walking’ could be potentially hazardous. A study released Wednesday by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found 78 percent of US adults believe that distracted walking is a ‘serious’ issue. However, only 29 percent say it’s a problem for them.

Most of those surveyed by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons agreed that distracted walking -- which could involve talking, listening to music or texting on a handset -- is ‘dangerous’, yet 31 percent were likely to do so anyway, confident in their ‘multitasking’ abilities.(Shutterstock)

The association pointed to a 2013 study showing a sharp increase in pedestrian accidents between 2004 and 2010, with mobile phone use a key factor in the rise.

Most of those surveyed agreed that distracted walking -- which could involve talking, listening to music or texting on a handset -- is ‘dangerous’, yet 31 percent were likely to do so anyway, confident in their ‘multitasking’ abilities.

Read: System aims to prevent texting-and-walking accidents

The message, however, does not appear to be getting through to smartphone users, and many Americans appear to take the position that “it’s not me, it’s you”, according to the academy.

The survey found Americans are confident in their ability to multitask. When asked why they walk distracted, 48 percent said “they just don’t think about it”, 28 percent feel “they can walk and do other things”, and 22 percent “are busy and want to use their time productively”, the survey found.

New York City residents were most likely to view distracted walking as a serious issue (86 percent). But the city also had the highest number (39 percent) of people who said they walked and used their phones simultaneously.

Read: Addicted to your smart phone? It’s time for a digital detox

“Today, the dangers of the ‘digital deadwalker’ are growing with more and more pedestrians falling down stairs, tripping over curbs, bumping into other walkers, or stepping into traffic causing a rising number of injuries -- from scrapes and bruises to sprains and fractures,” said Alan Hilibrand, a spokesman for the association.

“Many of us simply need to force ourselves to set down our devices and focus on what’s in front of and around us.”

The survey conducted by the polling firm Ipsos queried 2,008 US adults October 8-20, and had a margin or error estimated at 2.5 percentage points.