* They are listening to music.
Hearing is as important as seeing. Listening to music makes it impossible to hear an oncoming vehicle. Researchers at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital say music listeners crossed intersections faster than others with electronic devices, but they didn't watch for cars and couldn't hear them.
* They are texting.
Walkers who are texting may be at most risk. This finding is in line with several studies. Texters also walked slower than everyone else, including those talking on cellphones. Texters were four times less likely to follow safety rules, including looking both ways, staying on the crosswalk, and obeying traffic signals.
* They are talking on the phone.
Pedestrians who were talking on cellphones, browsing the Internet, or even talking to someone next to them all had an increased risk of injury.
Most of the distracted walkers were adults, but it's important for parents to tell their children to put down their phones when walking.
