Distracted Driving Pedestrian and Cycling Death Continues to Increase

Pedestrians and cyclists in the United States are suffering deaths by the hands of distracted drivers at an increasing number.  A new study released by the Public Health Reports claims that pedestrian deaths caused by distracted driving have increased by over 50% in a five year period.  The amount of cyclists killed by distracted driving accidents has amplified by 30% over the past five years.

This study has found that white males, agest 25 to 64, are responsible for more than two-thirds of the pedestrian distracted driving accident death victims and 83% of the bicycling victims.  Another eye opening statistic that this study reported was that nearly half of these cyclists and pedestrians were killed in distracted driving accidents during daytime hours.  This study’s findings are even more disturbing because over the past five years there has been a steady decline in the amount of automobile deaths in the United States.

Statistics released by the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System was used for this study.  The study identified distracted driving based on traffic-safety guidelines.  Police determined that a driver had been operating a phone, technological device, or had involved themselves in careless activities while behind the wheel.