TO: Dr.

Kara Montgomery, Public Health Professor

FROM: Emily Taylor, Student

SUBJECT: Public Health Issue: Adolescent Distraction and Pedestrian Deaths

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in the United States for age groups between the
ages of 10-14 and 15-24, according to the Center for Disease Control and Preventions annual
data of the causes of death by age group. It was the 5th leading cause of death nationwide in
2010, according to CDCs New Releases for Mortality Data. In 2010, one out of every ten deaths
by unintentional injuries were in the 15-24 age group. This means that large numbers of children
and young adults are dying by accident, instead of illness or other such causes. According to SC
Department of Health and Environmental Control, accidents are the number one cause of death
for age groups 1-4, 5-14, and 15-24 in South Carolina in 2010 as well. This public health issue is
not only a nationwide issue, but is hitting close to home right here in South Carolina. Our young
people are suffering from accidental causes that could have been prevented. I am passionate
about targeting this young population and implementing ways in which to decrease these
mortality rates in the next five years. These young citizens are afflicted from causes avoid, and
enforcements need to be made in order to keep them safe in the years to come.

It has become astonishingly apparent due to research done by Safe Kids Worldwide that one of
the most common causes of accidental death in adolescents is pedestrian injury due to distraction
while walking. The number of adolescent pedestrian deaths annually is increasing significantly.
Within the past five years, pedestrian deaths in young adults between 16-19 years old have
increased by 25%. In a study Safe Kids conducted, they found in their Research Report: Teens
and Distraction (August 2013) that one fifth of the high school students they studied and one out
of every eight middle school children were observed crossing the street distracted. The number
one distraction by no surprise was texting on their cell phones, but other students were listening
to music almost equally as much (39% for both). If young adults have their earphones in and the
music loud, it is extremely difficult to hear oncoming traffic behind them. Even more so, if their
music is on and they are texting, pedestrians have no awareness of what is going on around them
as they walk in the middle of the street. The third most distracting device was talking on the
phone, and lastly, playing video games on a device was another distraction. According to their
data, girls are more likely to walk while distracted, but the pedestrian death rate is almost two
times as common in boys than in girls. The most astonishing statistic is approximately 80% of
teens believe that the age group most at risk for pedestrian injury is a different age group than
their own. Young adults do not perceive their age group to be at risk for pedestrian injury. They
do not think they are distracted, and believe they can handle walking and texting at the same
time. This generation is unaware and distracted from the amount of danger in which they are
putting themselves.

To address this major public health issue, I have suggestions that could lead to the decrease in
adolescent pedestrian distraction and a decrease in pedestrian injury. In regards to cross walks,
my suggestion would be to install voice activation at major intersections, verbally alerting
pedestrians how much time they have to walk across the street as well as when it is time to stop
and wait to cross. This is a state and national installation that can be extremely beneficial. I am
aware that in some cities, there is sound during the countdown shown to the pedestrians as they
are crossing. However, if an automated voice were activated when it was almost time for the
light to change, the pedestrians would be more conscious of where they are walking. My
suggestion would be to start at the state level. I would address this issue with representatives of
the state government, and write a proposal for the addition of voice alerts at the cross walks of
the busiest pedestrian walkways throughout the state, major cities first such as Charleston and
Columbia. In addition to the voice alerts, I suggest the addition of new laws at the state level
banning texting while walking in the street. Police officers on foot and in cars around major
cities can stop pedestrians if they see them texting or completely distracted while crossing a
major intersection. The penalty could be a citation and a fine, indicating the severity of the
dangers of pedestrian distraction. At the school and university level, campus security could also
begin to enforce a rule against distracted walking. Since adolescents and young adults are
affected greatly by pedestrian distraction, it would be beneficial for schools to enforce penalties
with student conduct if their students are caught crossing the street while distracted. Penalties
can vary school-to-school and university-to-university, but a general fine could be enforced at the
university level, along with a meeting with student conduct to enforce further penalty for placing
themselves in so much danger. These suggestions will increase the awareness of this major
public health issue among young adults and adolescents, and will enforce the already present
data indicating this age group is most at risk for pedestrian injury.

As you can see from my findings, unintentional injury in the United States as well as locally in
South Carolina is a major cause of death among young people ages 15-24. The numbers of
deaths annually are shocking and will only continue to increase if new enforcements are not
conducted soon. The social media driven society that runs this nation including this state has led
to increased risk of pedestrian death among adolescents and young adults. This age group needs
to keep their eyes up and realize they are at most risk for injury or death while walking on their
campuses and city streets. More awareness when crossing the street can be achieved through my
suggestion of voice alerts telling pedestrians when to walk and when to stop. Penalties can be
enforced if pedestrians are distracted. The numbers are too great for this issue to go unnoticed
and left alone. We must protect pedestrians, but they must also protect themselves.

I hope you will consider my suggestions carefully, and that we can schedule a follow up to
discuss what actions need to take place. I am available Wednesday afternoon between 1 PM and
5 PM, as well as Friday afternoon between 2 PM and 4 PM. I look forward to meeting with you.

Thank you for your time and your consideration.