Texting and driving has long been seen as a major danger behind the wheel. But a new study has found that texting and walking can be just as risky.
New research from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that “distracted walking” comes with a significantly higher risk of injury compared to those who are alert while navigating busy intersections on foot.
The researchers used traffic cameras to examine the behaviour of people using their phones while crossing two busy streets in Vancouver, and the effect those actions had on vehicle traffic.
They found that texting or talking on the phone while walking increased the chance of severe vehicle interactions and near misses by as much as 45 percent….