Distracted walking injuries on the rise

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - We've all heard how dangerous it can be to drive while talking on a cell phone, but what about walking while talking?

A new study from Safe Kids Worldwide finds "distracted walking" injuries among teenagers jumped 25-percent from 2006 to 2010.

The organization says the rise in injuries can be blamed on teens paying more attention to electronics and handheld devices while walking.

Tabitha Bissonnette of Chicopee told 22news, “I've seen children, or teenagers, distracted texting and walking out in front of cars; sometimes you can see people walk for miles and never look up and are just constantly looking at their phone.”

According to Rebecca Mularski of Easthampton, “If they know they're going to be crossing they should actually concentrate on crossing the busy street. It's just basic common sense.”

The good news, pedestrian injury and death rates per 100,000 kids are declining across the board, just not as quickly among teens.