Injury By Cellphone Incidents On The Rise, National Safety Council Says

Fifty-two percent of distracted walking incidents involving cell phones happen at home – not adjacent to roadways, as many may believe, according to a recent study.

Distracted walking injuries involving cell phones accounted for an estimated 11,101 injuries between 2000 and 2011, a trend so alarming that it was included for the first time in the annual National Safety Council’s statistical report, Injury Facts, which tracks data around the leading causes of unintentional injuries and deaths.

“Whether we are in the car or on foot, it is important to be aware of our surroundings, even if they are familiar,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.

“More than half of all unintentional injuries each year happen at home, so don’t take your safety for granted. No call, text or update is worth an injury,” she added.

While cell phone distracted walking injuries were most common among women and those ages 40 and younger, the study found the issue is impacting all age groups.

Twenty-one percent of those injured were 71 and older. Talking on the phone accounted for 62% of injuries, the most common of which were dislocation or fracture, sprains or strains and concussions.

Nearly 80% of the injuries were due to a fall.

Unintentional poisoning deaths were the No. 1 cause of unintentional injuries or deaths, according to the report.