You are likely to have come across them - pedestrians with their heads down, eyes focused on the screens of their mobile phones or electronic devices while they cross the road. They are sometimes oblivious to their surroundings and can get into accidents. And while we might laugh at the woman who falls into the fountain while texting, or the man who walks into a wall while texting, the problem of distracted walking is a very real and serious one.
Law enforcement around the world has starting updated the “a code of conduct for all road users” to include an advisory against this behavior known as "distracted walking". Pedestrians should avoid using mobile communication devices while crossing the road, said the advisory.
In London, England, some lamp posts have been padded in order to protect the large numbers of people using their mobile devices while walking. Even New York City has lowered the speed limit in some areas as a way to help cut down on the number of pedestrian injuries. Arkansas, Illinois, and New York have all tried unsuccessfully to ban using a mobile device while walking.
In 2017, Honolulu became the first city in the US to fine pedestrians crossing a street or highway with their phones out. Following that, other American cities in Idaho and California also introduced laws against “distracted walking”. Singapore, Baguio City in the Philippines also implemented laws against such behavior in August this year. Offenders could face fines, community service, or even imprisonment if found guilty.
Nearly 6,000 pedestrians were struck and killed by motor vehicles in the US during 2017,
with an estimated 7,450 pedestrian deaths (traffic and non-traffic) according to Injury Facts.