Phillip Quon1, Kelcie Lahey2, Mackenzie Grisdale2, Brent Hagel2,3,4,5, George Frost6, Kathy Belton6, April Elliott2. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. phillipquon@gmail.com. 2. Department of Paediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. 3. Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. 4. Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. 5. O'Brien Institute of Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada. 6. Injury Prevention Centre, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Distracted walking poses a safety concern while crossing roads. A 2014 Canadian survey showed that 51% of teenagers were hit or almost hit while crossing the street, many of whom were distracted by mobile technology. An American study demonstrated that 1 in 5 high school students engaged in distracted walking; however, prevalence estimates in Canada have not been described. This study aimed to obtain a prevalence estimate of distracted walking in high school students in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Students were observed crossing the street at 20 high schools following afternoon school dismissal times during September to November 2017. Behaviours included talking on mobile phone, using earbuds, looking down at phone, and engaging in more than one of these behaviours. Also recorded were median household income of surrounding neighbourhood, outside temperature, gender, and crosswalk type. RESULTS: A total of 3553 students were observed, with 666 engaged in distracted walking (18.7%). Females engaged in distracted walking more than males (19.9% vs. 17.6%, respectively). The most prevalent behaviour was using earbuds (66.5%). Males had a lower prevalence of distracted walking compared with females. Distracted walking was more prevalent when the temperature was above 10 °C compared with less than 0 °C and less prevalent at signaled compared with non-signaled intersections. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that approximately 1 in 5 high school students in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, engage in distracted walking behaviours while crossing the street. These results may help raise awareness and inform policy to decrease risk of pedestrian injury.
OBJECTIVES: Distracted walking poses a safety concern while crossing roads. A 2014 Canadian survey showed that 51% of teenagers were hit or almost hit while crossing the street, many of whom were distracted by mobile technology. An American study demonstrated that 1 in 5 high school students engaged in distracted walking; however, prevalence estimates in Canada have not been described. This study aimed to obtain a prevalence estimate of distracted walking in high school students in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. METHODS: Students were observed crossing the street at 20 high schools following afternoon school dismissal times during September to November 2017. Behaviours included talking on mobile phone, using earbuds, looking down at phone, and engaging in more than one of these behaviours. Also recorded were median household income of surrounding neighbourhood, outside temperature, gender, and crosswalk type. RESULTS: A total of 3553 students were observed, with 666 engaged in distracted walking (18.7%). Females engaged in distracted walking more than males (19.9% vs. 17.6%, respectively). The most prevalent behaviour was using earbuds (66.5%). Males had a lower prevalence of distracted walking compared with females. Distracted walking was more prevalent when the temperature was above 10 °C compared with less than 0 °C and less prevalent at signaled compared with non-signaled intersections. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that approximately 1 in 5 high school students in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, engage in distracted walking behaviours while crossing the street. These results may help raise awareness and inform policy to decrease risk of pedestrian injury.