In recent years, much attention has been given to the dangers associated with distracted driving. Researchers have linked distracting behaviors such as texting while driving with an increase in car accidents. As a result many states, including Ohio, have banned texting while driving. It turns out; however, that cellphones may be just as distracting and dangerous to pedestrians.

Results of a new study published in the Journal of Injury Prevention; show that one in three pedestrians is distracted by a cellphone while crossing the street. Whether talking on the phone, checking email or texting; any activity that takes a pedestrian's eyes and focus off of the task of crossing the street is dangerous.

Many pedestrians wrongly assume they are safe from danger when they have a crosswalk or crossing signal. Oftentimes, however, pedestrian accidents occur when drivers fail to provide pedestrians the right of way. Drivers may be distracted themselves and fail to see a pedestrian who is crossing the street.

For the study, researchers examined the behaviors of roughly 1,000 pedestrians. Top distracting behaviors included talking or texting on a cellphone, listening to music and talking to another pedestrian. Researchers reported that the majority of pedestrians engaged in distracting activities during the busiest times of the day and the overwhelming majority were between the ages of 25 to 44-year-old. While the majority of those pedestrians monitored obeyed traffic and crosswalk signals, only a quarter looked both ways before crossing the street.

When car and pedestrian accidents occur, pedestrians often sustain serious and debilitating injuries. Pedestrians would be wise to ensure they are alert and vigilant while crossing the street. There is likely no email or text message important enough to risk one's life.

Source: The Huffington Post, "Texting And Walking: 1 In 3 People Distracted By Mobile Devices While Crossing The Street," Dec. 29, 2012