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Recent Polk County Accidents Show the Dangers of Distractions

There is no doubt that driving while distracted is dangerous.  Motorists often take their eyes of the road to dial or pick up a ringing cell phone.  Some people have even admitted to texting and driving.  However, recent accidents have brought a new danger to light, which is walking while distracted.

Parents of teenagers are now faced with a new fear that involves youth on foot.  Two recent Polk County accidents have brought attention to the phenomenon of distracted pedestrians. 

The first pedestrian accident occurred last September when a 14-year-old boy was killed after walking into traffic in Davenport.  He had been sending a text message at the time, according to Polk Sheriff’s Office officials.

Last October another accident took place when 18-year-old Robert Lopez, Jr. was hit and killed by a passenger train as he walked along the railroad tracks in Auburndale.  Lopez was listening to music on his earphones.

Apparently, pedestrian accidents similar to these two are becoming more common, especially in large cities where more people walk among vehicles.  According to Dr. Nick Jouriles, a former president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, “people have earbuds in and they just aren’t really listening (for traffic) or watching.  We have seen a whole bunch of people on their iPhone or Blackberry who walk out into traffic or step into a ditch and roll their ankle.  We have been seeing more and more of those injuries.”

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