this article appears courtesy of PEMCO.com
edited by Kirby Lindsay Laney, for Fremocentrist.com
posted 26 May 2016
As we step into summer, Fremont is a great place for pedestrians to wander among the art, the shops and the eateries. Pedestrian, and auto, traffic around the Center of the Universe increases during the Fremont Fun Run, Fremont Fair, Fremont Arts Council Solstice Parade, Fremont Sunday Market, etc.
A PEMCO Insurance poll sheds light on dangerous distractions, and the oblivious pedestrians so much more focused on their phones, or other things, that they may miss their potentially hazardous surroundings.
It’s Might Not Be Who You Think
The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll finds that Washington and Oregon drivers are quick to identify distracted pedestrians as a hazard, yet most claim to be attentive walkers themselves. In fact, 88% of local drivers say they see distracted pedestrians at least some of the time.
As to the distractions, respondents said:
- 90% see cell phones
- 86% see people texting
- 72% see pedestrians listening with earbuds or headphones.
The funny thing is, as often happens with PEMCO polls, it’s a case of ‘the other guy, not me.’ Two-thirds – 67% – of drivers say they themselves are rarely or never distracted when they’re pedestrians.
But among respondents, few admit to being distracted by their phone. According to the poll, most – nearly half – say that when they’re distracted, it’s because they’re talking to a fellow pedestrian.
“We’ve all seen this behavior. Just drive through the intersections around PEMCO [offices] at lunch time, and chances are you’ll see a fair share of professionals focused on something other than crossing the street,” said Jon Osterberg, a PEMCO spokesperson. “Whether they’re distracted by a phone call or they’re in a conversation with another pedestrian,” or taking photos of art, at least in Fremont, “there’s still the risk of getting hit because of inattention.”
Younger respondents, people under age 35, are among those most likely to fess up to being a distracted pedestrian. Nearly half of young people polled in Washington and Oregon say they’re sometimes, or even often, distracted, and many attribute it to multitasking with their handheld devices. Older drivers tend to notice technology distractions, and nearly nine out of 10 drivers age 55 and older say they see pedestrians, regardless of age, distracted by talking on their cell phone, reading or texting from it, or listening to headphones.
‘Pedestrians Are Vulnerable’
“This is more than an age related issue, and perhaps it’s the ‘other guy’ mentality. Regardless, pedestrians are vulnerable to collisions. And personal-safety experts say that pedestrians are especially vulnerable to criminal assault when they’re distracted,” added Osterberg.
According to a University of Washington study, published in Injury Prevention, texting pedestrians were 3.9 times more likely to display at least one unsafe behavior – disobeying the lights, crossing mid-intersection, or failing to look both ways. Those who were texting also took more time to cross the street. Interestingly, those listening to headphones walked faster than undistracted pedestrians.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2012 a pedestrian was injured every 7 minutes in the United States. Worse, in 2012 pedestrian fatalities nationwide, 4,743 of them, represented a 6% percent increase over the previous year. Locally, pedestrian fatalities represented 16% of total traffic fatalities in Washington, 55 fatalities in our state.
It appears that the worst thing pedestrians can do is leisurely amble along, head down, eyes glued to your feet – or your phone. As you stroll Fremont, or elsewhere, make sure you keep an eye on your surroundings, and the risks we all take.
Learn more about the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, and view a summary of the results, visit Pemco.com/poll. Visitors can also participate in an informal version of the poll, and see how their own responses compare with those collected by FBK Research in May 2014.
About PEMCO Insurance: PEMCO Insurance, established in 1949, is a Seattle-based provider of auto, home, boat, and umbrella insurance to Northwest residents. PEMCO Insurance is sold to consumers by the method they choose – phone, local community agents, or online. For more information, visit Pemco.com.
Related Articles
- What The SPF?!
- by Katie Baker, ND/LMP, July 22, 2013
- WSDOT Prepares For Paint & Preservation Of The Aurora Bridge
- by Kirby Lindsay Laney, February 9, 2016
- Miller Works To Move Art Walk Forward
- by Kirby Lindsay, January 30, 2015
©2016 Kirby Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.