Photo via Michelle Rick's flickr
From 2004 to 2011, the number of people who have died or were injured while walking and wearing headphones rose from 16 to 47. The Guardian points us to a new U.S. study, published by Injury Prevention
journal, which notes that most victims were men under the age of 30
(around 68% in both cases). 89% of the 116 total incidents occurred in
urban areas, with 55% being struck by a train. Looks like these numbers
are pointing directly at us, NYC!
In the cases, of which 70% were fatal, headphones were always
involved, and playing "a direct part in the incident, as the users could
not hear warnings that they were in danger," even in the cases where
sirens were used. Researchers say the link between headphone use and
pedestrian injury is either distraction or environmental isolation. They
added, "The use of headphones with handheld devices may pose a safety
risk to pedestrians, especially in environments with moving vehicles.
Further research is needed to determine if and how headphone use
compromises pedestrian safety."
