Distractions Kill Pedestrians

"Nibbles" (nibbles) 02/19/2016 at 12:26 • Filed to: thinkbait, transportation, distractions, smartphones, walkers, pedestrians

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Lately we have been shown articles about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! — how automobiles are to blame for pedestrian deaths, particulate matter, Donald Trump’s election campaign and all manner of other ills.

The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in the narrative that aims to remove Americans’ primary mode of transportation is an incredibly polarizing piece on Gizmodo. It claims that more pedestrians than ever are being hurt on streets and attempts to rest the blame on the vehicles. It mentions such points as the “...invention of jaywalking in the 1900s” and cites the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! as a very trustworthy data source. (Actual 2015 metrics are still not available at time of publication)

The article dismisses the idea of having an application that could help keep distracted smartphoners out of danger and instead requests that the responsibility should be on the shoulders of the automakers. This argument is not unlike the whole “discipline firearms manufacturers for shootings, terrorist attacks, et alia” and is still a blame shift in the wrong direction.

The author states that “...it’s very difficult to prove... a distraction” but that is where the requested blame shift should stop. Whether it’s the distracted pedestrian or the distracted driver, the crux is distraction.

Automobiles are inanimate objects. At this juncture they have no life of their own; no ability to make decisions ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , some Volvos excluded) and rely solely on human input. A car cannot (currently) kill. A car cannot (currently) be held responsible for a pedestrian death. A manufacturer cannot be held responsible for a death unless a manufacturing defect is a direct cause, for example Takata’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the GM !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Smartphone usage grew greatly in 2015, as noted by mobile data traffic. According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , traffic growth exceeded 50% in the United States.

Mobile data traffic growth in 2015

The whitepaper states that traffic and usage has grown exponentially over the past 6 years and is projected to hit in excess of 30 exabytes in the next five years. Of course that’s just data statistics; offline distractions such as mobile gaming and eBooks aren’t counted.

In a recent !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (2013), 60% of pedestrians admitted to partaking in distracting activities while crossing the road, despite 70% of those surveyed considering that to be a bad idea. David Melton, a driving safety expert, states “So much attention has been paid... to distracted driving that we have ignored the fact that distracted walking and crossing can be just as risky.” Phones, tablets, eReaders and their ilk can be blamed in many pedestrian injuries - and they rightfully are.

As drivers shouldn’t be looking at their distracting devices when operating a vehicle, pedestrians shouldn’t be distracted when crossing a roadway. Drivers take control of a multi-ton apparatus capable of causing massive damage; attention should be paid at all times to operating said automobile. In the same vein, pedestrians crossing roads put themselves in the line of danger and should take the same provisions to be as alert as possible. An alert pedestrian can alter course and speed magnitudes faster than an alert vehicle operator.

A sign posted by the “Metropolitan Etiquette Authority” around New York City

In a perfect world, rules would be followed. Vehicle operators would pay attention at all times; walkers would pay attention when crossing or otherwise entering roadways, cyclists would [insert flamebait here]. However with the prevalence of smartphones, Flappy Birds, emails and Buzzfeeds (ugh), that’s just not going to happen. What is the correct answer? It’s not “ BAN CARS ”. It’s not “ BAN SMARTPHONES ”. It’s “ EDUCATE THE MASSES .” Only you can ensure you’re alert enough to avoid danger, dismemberment or death from a distracted anything/anyone. If you’re a vehicle operator, don’t touch your damned phone. Maybe turn down the radio a bit. If you’re a walker, at least stop touching your damned phone when potentially crossing paths with a vehicle. Maybe take an earbud out too.

Jcarr > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:31

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There is good Kinja and there is great Kinja. This is great Kinja.

Also, you used one of my favorite gifs. The reactions of the folks around her are just as good.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:34

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Good ass Kinja is good.

Seriously though. Banning cars in this context would be like banning cheeseburgers and soft drinks in America for making people obeese.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:36

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Maybe take an earbud out too.

One of by biggest pet peeves is when people have headphones on while driving.

I know my music may be loud but at least its not blasting directly into my ears blocking out everything around me.

Anyhow, I agree with this post. Well done sir.

Wacko > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:37

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Let’s ban all Americans from America. see Trump solution.

JustAnotherG6 > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:39

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This is the article Allyssa (Allisa? Alyisisa? ... whaterver) should have written.

Nibbles > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/19/2016 at 12:41

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BAN EARBUDS

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:41

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Well, earbuds suck as headphones anyhow

But I’ve seen people driving around here with big ass noise canceling headphones.

COME ON

EL_ULY > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:45

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DROPPED!!!!!! Amazing post!

Nibbles > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/19/2016 at 12:47

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Good gof

jariten1781 > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 12:52

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I was going to post this on her article, but I decided to metaphorically bite my tongue.

Running the numbers from IIHS (numbers of motor vehicle caused deaths, deaths per 100 million miles driven, percent of those that are pedestrians, and average miles driven per year) it comes out that with the driver/pedestrian relationship that existed in 2013 (the numbers I had) the average driver would go ~67000 years of driving between splatting pedestrians. I’m sure if I had numbers for distance traveled by pedestrians it’d be the same order of magnitude for time spent walking before you got squashed.

This isn't a 'problem' begging a resource loaded 'solution'; it's noise. So yeah, I agree protect yourself and don't be an asshole is the best advice.

Birddog > JustAnotherG6 02/19/2016 at 12:54

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She’s not that bright.

Nibbles > jariten1781 02/19/2016 at 12:57

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Nice data, you definitely should post it. If not there, here. Include your datasets because information is good

Nibbles > Birddog 02/19/2016 at 12:59

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She’s rather bright actually. I’ve been reading some of her non-sensationalist articles, and they’re actually good. She’s being paid to write a particular type of article designed to infuriate the Jalops and Opponauts of the world, and she’s doing her new job quite well.

Birddog > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 13:01

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I know. I used to read her other stuff on occasion. Now, not so much.

Funktheduck > JustAnotherG6 02/19/2016 at 13:23

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It wouldn't fit in her closed mind, narrow viewpoint of the world.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 02/19/2016 at 13:43

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Talk to Michael Bloomberg. He thought that was a good idea as mayor of NYC, and he pushes similar ‘logic’ in the gun control debate.

Jcarr > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/19/2016 at 13:44

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I’m pretty sure that’s actually illegal in most places.

jariten1781 > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 13:49

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Running again.

IIHS data pulled from FARS (2013 numbers)

Pedestrian deaths: 4735 (use 5k)

Miles driven: 2,946,132,000,000 (use 3T)

Ped deaths/mile driven = 1.6e-9 deaths per mile (or 1.6 per billion miles driven)

Average distance driven per year from DOT: 13476 (use 15k)

1.6B/15000 = 106,000 years

So, using this rounding (for the 67k year in the first post I'd assumed 1 death per billion miles, rounding down for conservatism) I get ~100k years of average driving between squashed pedestrians as a ROM.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/…

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/bar…

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 13:54

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Do you think she’s a paid shill? That would explain the gaping holes in her argument.

It seems like Gawker likes to do this once in a while - have it’s authors write an article attacking something they might otherwise support (like Wes Siler’s hit piece on Ted Cruz for ‘bad’ gun handling right before they let him go*). It seems like a purity test, to see if they can effectively tow the party line even when they don’t want to.

*Siler hitting Cruz on gun handling is small beans. Everytime the man opens his mouth, he says something more offensive and dangerous than leaving a locked-open firearm draped over your shoulder.

Nibbles > jariten1781 02/19/2016 at 13:56

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Mmm, data...

Thanks! I may lean on you when I write my next thinkbait article, if you’re up for it

Nibbles > The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) 02/19/2016 at 13:58

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She says she’s the “Urbanism Editor” for Gizmodo however her articles lean heavily on the sensational side. Whether this is a probationary test or what GM was actually looking to her for, I don’t have information on that. What I can say is that these articles will likely harm her career as a journalist

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 14:54

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Sure these articles with the "anti-car" stigma are bad but the comments are even worse! I feel like I am reading the facebook-type comments you find on popular news sites or youtube comments. The comparisons that people make and the bullshit logic people find to argue the points made in the article. I am glad someone posted this to Oppo, I could not handle the idiocy in there lol. I think the worst was the comparison of a driving a car to walking down the street with a loaded gun and your finger on the trigger. That was the comment that I just stared at it and wondered how dumb people are. A better comparison there would be if the car was being driven on the sidewalk while wearing a blindfold.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 15:11

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http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-ve-reached-t…

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 19:57

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Yeah man, she edits material for maximum clicks! Would I guess that makes “editor” an acceptable title -_-

Berang > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 19:58

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While I do agree that cars kill pedestrians - and that more often than not it is the car driver who is at fault - I’m still astonished by that article. The bad sort of astonished. Funny enough it almost seems like those in charge are now trying paint everybody who thought it was lacking, as mindless haters. But...

Berang > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 02/19/2016 at 20:07

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In most, if not all states, it is illegal to use them while driving.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Berang 02/19/2016 at 20:20

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Which intensifies my anger

Baeromez > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 20:33

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Matt Nichelson > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 20:48

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That is one of the most rational comments I havs read about her so far. We don’t all agree with her and we certainly don’t have to read her articles. At the end of the day, though, we all know who she is and the article in question, so there’s an obvious reason for that. The number of clicks do not lie.

Chariotoflove > Nibbles 02/19/2016 at 21:19

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I want a bumper sticker that says “Ban personal responsibility!”

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Chariotoflove 02/19/2016 at 22:53

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Rights should equal responsibility

Instead its Rights equals NO responsibility for not infringing on other peoples Rights.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Baeromez 02/19/2016 at 23:33

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Question: why aren’t some gifs loading for me in kinja? I’m on chrome.

Baeromez > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 02/20/2016 at 12:44

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IDK. I’m on chrome too.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Baeromez 02/20/2016 at 14:19

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it was my adblock

jariten1781 > Nibbles 02/22/2016 at 07:36

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Sure, I’ll help if I’ve got free time.

Also, I noticed glancing back at this that I made a bonehead unit balance error. Using the walkup I stupidly did it should be [(1B miles/1.6deaths)*(1yr/15kmiles)]= ~40000 years/death. How it should have been done to be clean: (3T miles/5k deaths)*(1 year/15k miles) = 40k years/death. Deaths per billion miles driven is still an interesting stat which is initially all I planned on looking at. I should have gone back to the raw numbers for the years/death calc; elementary mistake. My high school physics teacher is shaking his head in shame haha.