Pedestrian Accidents Rising: Cell Phones Are Major Cause Print


Several decades ago, when today’s seniors were younger, anyone walking across a busy street talking into a little box was considered insane. These days it’s a common sight when pedestrians not only talk, but also stare at little moving pictures on the box. And not paying attention to the street traffic around them.

According to the Wall Street Journal and other sources, today’s accident records show that cell phone inattention by pedestrians is getting more dangerous every day. And of course, drivers with eyes and ears on phones are even more guilty of causing the fatal statistics.

Seniors with limited eye and ear capabilities are particularly vulnerable to street accidents. And those who walk on unfamiliar foreign city streets are even more liable to be hit. Many years ago in New York Winston Churchill started to cross a busy street and was severely injured by a taxi. He forgot that travel lanes are reversed in England. Advice: When in city traffic, whether on foot or driving, keep eyes and ears away from your smart phone.