More pedestrians being hit by distracted drivers (Decatur: 2015, living)

[arjay57]

Can't say I'm surprised. You see people driving around all the time with their faces buried in their phones.

From [Decatur] Fire Captain Violante: In the past two months the fire department has responded to a large increase in the numbers of pedestrians hit by distracted drivers.

Don’t Text and Drive « The Decatur Minute

[CCATL]

Agreed, it's ridiculous. Every single day I easily count more than 10 people driving or sitting at red lights looking down at their phones in my 4ish mile commute. I've seen a number of close calls where these people stop short of hitting cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

[ATLTJL]

I almost got hit yesterday by a guy who completely blew through a 4-way stop sign.

Head buried in phone.

[MattCW]

Is it actually the drivers, or more idiot, entitled pedestrians distracted by THEIR devices? Back when I was much more frequently a pedestrian, I'd see so much bad behavior by my fellow pedestrians, I was literally shaking my head for much of my walk. They cross against the signal, jaywalk, don't pay attention, don't use the sidewalk, or suddenly step out into the road without bothering to check.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Can't say I'm surprised. You see people driving around all the time with their faces buried in their phones.

This is so spot on.

I wish the gov would spend some of their ad council money on an ad campaign shaming people who do this.

Autonomous cars can't get here soon enough.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Is it actually the drivers, or more idiot, entitled pedestrians distracted by THEIR devices? Back when I was much more frequently a pedestrian, I'd see so much bad behavior by my fellow pedestrians, I was literally shaking my head for much of my walk. They cross against the signal, jaywalk, don't pay attention, don't use the sidewalk, or suddenly step out into the road without bothering to check.

If a ped is distracted it will only hurt themselves. If a driver is distracted it will hurt others.

[MattCW]

Originally Posted by cqholt

If a ped is distracted it will only hurt themselves. If a driver is distracted it will hurt others.

Oh yes, just ignore the innocent driver that has someone step in front of them and die, or the other pedestrian that gets a 150 pound body thrown at them. Or the car that serves to miss the idiot and ends up wrapped around a utility pole, or swerves into the other lane. A two ton car is only so maneuverable and can't stop on a dime. Let's have some actual responsibility by people for their actions.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Oh yes, just ignore the innocent driver that has someone step in front of them and die, or the other pedestrian that gets a 150 pound body thrown at them. Or the car that serves to miss the idiot and ends up wrapped around a utility pole, or swerves into the other lane. A two ton car is only so maneuverable and can't stop on a dime. Let's have some actual responsibility by people for their actions.

Yes peds have a responsibility to pay attention, just like drivers, but we are talking about human behavior and we cannot design roads, add signs, or create laws to change it. It is up to the individual if they want to continue living and reduce risky behavior.

[arjay57]

I drove behind a woman the other day who was holding her phone directly in front of her eyes like a mirror. She did this for over a mile. If she saw anything else it was only with her peripheral vision around the phone.

That is so incredibly selfish.

[jsvh]

Yes, after years of falling, auto accidents are on the rise again due to distracted drivers. This will only increase as technology continues to become more prevalent. We need more restrictions & requirements on drivers, especially around pedestrians.

Car Crashes Are on the Rise, and Warren Buffett Blames Texting - WSJ

Self-driving cars can't get here soon enough.