Unprecedented increase in pedestrian fatalities in the US

Are cell phones and other electronic equipment to blame for the recent spike in pedestrian deaths all over America?

According to a report prepared by by Richard Retting of Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants for the Governors Highway Safety Association, projected pedestrian traffic fatalities in the US for 2016 increased by 11% compared to 2015 and by 22% compared to 2014.  This is the biggest increase in pedestrian fatalities in 40 years since national statistics started to be recorded. The second biggest increase was recorded in 2015.

Pedestrian deaths represented 11% of all traffic accident deaths in 2006. They now represent 15% of them.

Since 2009 , the number of pedestrian deaths has been growing steadily from 4,000 a year to almost 6,000 a year in 2016.

A better economy since the 2009 depression, increase in walking as a primary mode of transportation and distraction related to smartphone technology are among the potential factors that may have contributed to this significant increase in pedestrian fatalities.

The complete report can be downloaded here