A pedestrian is seen walking while on a cell phone.
A picture from April 2012 as the city created an "E-Lane" for walking and texting as an April Fool's joke.
Researchers say nearly 30 percent of people observed crossing 20 busy intersections were distracted by talking or texting on their phones.
Researchers observed more than a thousand people as they crossed the intersections, specifically looking for pedestrians who were distracted by another activity such as talking on the phone or texting.
According to researchers, one in four observed all safety rules, including looking both ways before crossing an intersection.
Distracted pedestrians took nearly a second and a half longer to navigate an intersection, and if they were texting, it took close to two seconds.
The team of researchers notes distracted walking, like distracted driving, puts people at risk.
Their report appears in an online edition of the journal "Injury Prevention."
Pedestrians in Philadelphia may remember an April Fools joke in which the city announced, and created, a walking lane specifically for walking and texting.
You can watch video of the city's joke in the video above this story.
The "E-Lane Initiative" joke even featured a video of Mayor Michael Nutter and Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities Rina Cutler discussing the new lane.
Organizers say they decided to have some fun with that they called a serious issue.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:44:23 GMT
In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America vote to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.
In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America vote to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:32:02 GMT
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A college student from Pennsylvania who went missing last week on his drive home from a New England college has been "located unharmed," almost a week after he disappeared, authorities say.
A pedestrian is seen walking while on a cell phone.
A picture from April 2012 as the city created an "E-Lane" for walking and texting as an April Fool's joke.
