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Distracted driving nationwide may lead to increase in fatal pedestrian crashes

Posted at 5:31 PM, May 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-17 16:19:56-04

It is an alarming trend.   A new report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association shows more and more people are being hit and killed by cars.

From 2015 to 2016 the number of pedestrian deaths on average increased 11% nationwide according to preliminary numbers.

Steve Gursten, who is head of Michigan Auto Law and President of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association, said that the cases coming into his office tell a story of why it might be happening.  He says drivers and people out walking are more distracted than ever.

“You have pedestrians walking and they are looking at their phone,” said Gursten.  “You have drivers on the road texting and driving. These are things we have never seen before at these levels.”

We recently have seen an increase in police crackdowns on distracted driving. Gursten says he believes that will save lives.