Teen Pedestrian Deaths Are Up And Texting May Be The Reason

Safe Kids Worldwide has found that pedestrian deaths are up for older teens (ages 15 to 19), who now account for 50% of pedestrian fatalities among those 19 and younger.

The organization directly links that rise to distracted walking. It ran a study that found one in five high schoolers was observed crossing the street while distracted (on the phone, listening to music, texting, or playing a video game).

While that connection makes sense — more distraction leads to more accidents — Safe Kids Worldwide offers no direct, causal link between the two — such as teens observed being hit by a car while texting.

In any case, the number of teens killed while walking still pales in comparison to those killed while driving (20%), by homicide (17%) and by suicide (14%), according to 2009 numbers from Teen Driver Source, a research institute at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"Other motor vehicle traffic-related" deaths count for 8%, just above poisoning and cancer.

Here's Safe Kids Worldwide data: