Time to update this poster.

Distracted Driving

A new study by the Governors Highway Safety Association finds that in the first half of 2016, pedestrian fatalities reached a two-decade high. More people are driving in a more active economy, and more people are walking and running for exercise; but as The Guardian reports, those aren’t the only reasons the numbers are up.

But researchers say they think the biggest factor may be more drivers and walkers distracted by cellphones and other electronic devices, although that’s hard to confirm.

Increases in driving and walking aren’t as dramatic as the rise in fatalities; smartphone use has skyrocketed; and areas where people do more walking are areas that have seen the highest increases. All of this suggests that distracted driving, and distracted walking, are the main drivers of the increase.