Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

WaPo Blames “Distracted Walking” for Unexplained Rise in Deaths

10:49 AM EDT on August 14, 2012

Pedestrian deaths are up. That's the news from a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Almost 4,300 pedestrians were killed in 2010 -- the most recent year for which data is available. That represents a four percent increase -- the first in five years.

What's going on here? Well, no one knows. As Tanya pointed out last week, NHTSA did not present data that explains underlying causes. But that hasn't stopped some press outlets from rushing to blame the victim. See: last week's editorial by the Washington Post, "Pedestrian Deaths Show Need to Curb Distracted Walking."

Network blog Wash Cycle says the paper should know better...

But they aren't going to let a complete lack of understanding for the cause of a phenomenon stop them from proposing a change in law to counteract it. About the best they have is a study showing that over 1000 people were estimated to have been injured while walking and using a cellphone or some other electronic device.

This is not to say that distracted walking isn't an issue. I don't know if it is or isn't. I don't see it a lot when I bike, but then I don't commute along a route with many pedestrians. But it is odd that after an uptick in pedestrian fatalities - almost all of which involve cars, the Post immediately turns its glare onto the victims.

Especially when there are other possible explanations. Perhaps, there are more people walking and they're walking more miles, in which case more fatalities is expected. Maybe the economic downturn means that more people are walking - because they can't afford to drive, and they're doing so in non-walkable areas like the suburbs and so they're getting hit more.  Perhaps it is just a one-year blip. Who knows?

So it's a pretty flimsy case to say that based on data we don't understand, we think that a law that no one has ever tried should be instituted to address a problem that we can't really prove exists.

Transportation for America's Dangerous by Design report found that more than half of the pedestrian deaths between 2000 and 2009 occurred on major arterials -- which strongly indicates road design is to blame for putting pedestrians at risk. A more enlightened discussion would focus on car-centric engineering standards, vehicle speeds, and other known factors that contribute to America's exceptionally high rate of traffic deaths. Is that too much to expect from the press these days?

Elsewhere on the Network today: Portland Transport says "America's Bike Capital" might get into the parklet business. Bike Portland introduces the "tiny house" bike RV. And Greater Greater Washington presents details on the bus rapid transit system planned for Montgomery County, Maryland.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023
See all posts