Walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise; you only need a good pair of shoes, and you’re ready to go. Hopefully, you live in an area with plenty of walking trails, but millions of Americans don’t have that option.
Whether you’re in a rural area or walking city sidewalks doesn’t matter. Eventually, you will interact with motorists. But how many of those motorists are paying attention to you?
The many forms of distracted driving
We tend to associate texting and talking on the phone with distracted driving, and while that’s a significant part of the problem, it’s not the only way people drive while they’re distracted. Distracted driving can be separated into three main categories:
- Visual distraction refers to a driver taking their eyes off the road, doing things such as checking their GPS, searching for a dropped object or turning their head to look at passengers or something outside the vehicle. One example is a driver being so focused on finding a parking space, that they fail to notice the people walking in front of their car.
- Manual distraction occurs when the driver takes their hands off the wheel. Eating or drinking, adjusting the radio or temperature controls or reaching for items in the console or passenger seat are all examples of manual distraction.
- Cognitive discretion involves taking your mind off the task of driving. A person’s eyes may be on the road and their hands on the wheel, but their mind is elsewhere, such as daydreaming, talking to passengers or on a hands-free phone or thinking about the day’s to-do list.
Unfortunately, glancing at the phone or taking a sip of pop can have serious consequences for pedestrians. In 2023, there were 7,318 pedestrians killed by motor vehicles, and distracted drivers contributed to many of those fatalities.
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable because they don’t have airbags, seatbelts or the metal framework of the vehicle. When they’re hit, they get the full impact of the collision, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
Pedestrians can do their part by staying alert, following traffic rules and making eye contact with the driver before crossing the street. However, it’s on motorists to maintain control of their vehicles at all times.
Anyone who is hit by a distracted driver should receive compensation for their injuries and lost wages.