Gov't, safety experts: Distracted walking is a growing problem

Psychological studies reveal that most people can't focus on two things at once. So it should be no surprise that distracted walking is sending more people to the emergency room than ever before. Government

News 12 Staff

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Aug 1, 2012, 6:46 PM

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Updated 4,524 days ago

Psychological studies reveal that most people can't focus on two things at once. So it should be no surprise that distracted walking is sending more people to the emergency room than ever before.

Government officials and safety experts say distracted walking, that is walking while talking on a phone, texting, listening to music or playing video games, is a growing problem.

The number of people heading to emergency rooms for injuries that resulted from distracted walking has more than quadrupled in the past seven years.

Lawmakers have been slow to consider legislation on the matter, but several local ordinances against distracted walking are in place nationwide.