Using Headphones While Walking a Dangerous Move Serious Injuries
Have Tripled Among Walkers Wearing Headphones Jan. 17, 2012 --
The dangers of driving while talking on a cell phone may be in
the news, but walking while wearing headphones can also be
deadly. A new study shows that in the last six years, serious
injuries and deaths have tripled among pedestrians struck by a
car or train while wearing headphones connected to an iPod or
other handheld device. Between 2004 and 2011, 116 injuries among
pedestrians wearing headphones were reported in the U.S.,
including 81 deaths. The majority of crashes were among young
people in urban areas. Researchers say the number of injuries is
on the rise along with the popularity of iPods and other MP3
devices. In 2004-2005, the number of injuries reported was 16,
and by 2010-2011, the number had risen to 47. Pedestrian
Injuries Linked to Headphone Use In the study, researchers
analyzed information from national databases and the media for
reports of pedestrian injuries or