50 Percent of Teens Admit to Crossing the Street while Distracted by a Mobile Device

[totalmotorcycle]

50 Percent of #Teens Admit to Crossing the Street while Distracted by a #Mobile Device
@SafeKids Worldwide and @FedEx urge teens to take a Moment of Silence when crossing the street


WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research released by Safe Kids Worldwide, with support from FedEx, reveals 50 percent of teens admit they cross streets while reading a mobile device, and an alarming 40 percent admit to actually being hit or nearly hit by a car, bike or motorcycle while walking. According to the research, distraction plays a role, as half of the teens surveyed said they cross the street while distracted by a mobile device.

"Every hour of every day, a teen is hit or killed while walking," said Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "Texting and walking or driving can be fatal. That's why we're asking everyone to put phones down when crossing the street."
Safe Kids created the Moment of Silence campaign in honor of Christina Morris-Ward, who was killed while crossing the street, wearing headphones and carrying a cell phone. Teens and their families are encouraged to join the Moment of Silence campaign: simply commit to putting devices down and paying attention when crossing the street. Show support by signing the pledge today.
Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx recommend the following tips to keep teens, and all of us, safe while walking.
4 Top Tips for Safe Walking
1. Put down phones and headphones when crossing the street.
2. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
3. Be especially alert when it's dark out, and make sure you're visible to drivers.
4. Cross at a traffic signal or crosswalk when possible.


About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to prevent childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 25 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 60 percent. Working together, we can do much more for kids everywhere.

[Jacksprat56]

A very sad fact indeed; but as the article said: "almost every one of these tragedies is preventable". I do not want to be insensitive here, but my main message is to "us", the motorcyclists. We need to keep our eyes out for "them"; we hit them, we go down, we possibly die or at the least get hurt or tear a bike up. Most people say I'm a cynic, might be true, I think I'm a realist! How long have we been fighting against drunk/impaired drivers & yet it still goes on "almost" unabated. This new "so called" distracted driving/walking/etc. phenomenon has become "a way of life". Common sense is a rare commodity these days and that is all I'm talking about; simple common sense should dictate that these actions are detrimental to ones health and safety. Keep your eyes open my riding brothers & sisters; we are most vulnerable and I don't want to lose any of you. I've been riding 40 years without once going down, thanks to the Grace of God Almighty 1st, and the fact that I always ride/drive expecting the person around me to always do "exactly what they are NOT supposed to do". Please keep that in mind at all times while riding; it has saved my butt more times than I can count! Again; always expect the person/car/bicycle rider/driver around you to do "exactly what they are NOT supposed to do".
Be safe & keep the rubber side down!