As Las Vegas auto accident attorneys, we have been trying to bring attention to the risks of distracted driving on this blog. A report in the New York Times indicates that pedestrians may not be averse to such risks either.

The NYT report contains the results of a study conducted by Ohio State University. The study found that in 2008, more than 1,000 pedestrians had to be rushed to emergency rooms after injuries sustained when they fell or ran into objects while talking or texting on the cell phone. That was double the number from the previous year, which in turn, had been double the number from 2006.

The study authors say that the number of pedestrians injured because they were using their cell phones while walking, could be more than this because most injuries involving distracted walking are not serious enough to require an ER visit. The study found that young people are much more likely to be injured in such accidents. Fifty percent of the hospital visits involved people below the age of 30. A quarter of the visits involved pedestrians between 16 and 20 years of age. Surprisingly enough, more than a quarter of pedestrians injured because of distractions were between 40 and 60 years old.

The Ohio State University study is believed to be the first of its kind on cell phone distractions and pedestrian accidents. Researchers believe that having a conversation on a cell phone causes the mind to develop imagery related to the conversation. This imagery can interfere with the person’s perception of his environment. So, a pedestrian who is distracted by his cell phone may fail to see a light pole or a closed door in front of him even if he is actually “seeing” the object. The object simply doesn’t register.

There is one major difference between the risks involving pedestrians distracted by cell phones while walking, and those involving motorists. Pedestrians are at higher risk of injury to themselves when they are distracted while walking. Motorists, who are using a cell phone while driving, are at a far greater risk of causing injury to others.

A pedestrian, who was seriously injured in an accident on the 25^th of November, died this week at a Las Vegas hospital. The pedestrian, Scott Alan Bard, was crossing highway 95, when he was hit by a white Buick. Police believe the motorist did not notice Bard, and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.

Pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas have been a matter of concern to auto accident lawyers here. Pedestrians are at great danger when they walk the streets from intoxicated drivers leaving the Strip, as well as taxis in a hurry. As Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorneys, we are always looking up the newest means and procedures to reduce these accident rates. While most auto safety advancements tend to focus on Electronic Stability Control systems and airbags that protect occupants of vehicles from injuries in an accident, there has been very little advancement in the use of technology to prevent pedestrian fatalities. This is in spite of the fact that pedestrians are at risk for some of the most serious and catastrophic injuries in accidents. Most pedestrian accidents end either in fatalities, or serious injuries, like spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, paralysis, broken bones, amputations, internal injuries and other serious injuries.

Volvo Cars is introducing an anti-collision system with an advanced pedestrian detection technology and full auto braking. While other cars, including Volvo’s earlier models also come with an anti collision system, the new technology is far more advanced.  The system is designed to react when a pedestrian walks in front of the car. The car’s full braking power is activated to bring the car to a stop if the driver fails to manually apply the brakes. The technology was revealed in January this year, and is part of Volvo’s commitment to developing and designing cars that have a minimal rate of accidents.

It’s very encouraging to Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyers to see automakers finally focusing more strongly on preventing collisions between pedestrians and automobiles.