50 Percent of Teens Admit to Crossing the Street while Distracted by a Mobile Device

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Research released by Safe Kids Worldwide, with support from FedEx, reveals 50 percent of teens admit they cross streets while reading a mobile device, and an alarming 40 percent admit to actually being hit or nearly hit by a car, bike or motorcycle while walking.  According to the research, distraction plays a role, as half of the teens surveyed said they cross the street while distracted by a mobile device.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7604531-safe-kids-worldwide-back-to-school/ 

"Every hour of every day, a teen is hit or killed while walking," said Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "Texting and walking or driving can be fatal. That's why we're asking everyone to put phones down when crossing the street."

Safe Kids created the Moment of Silence campaign in honor of Christina Morris-Ward, who was killed while crossing the street, wearing headphones and carrying a cell phone. Teens and their families are encouraged to join the Moment of Silence campaign: simply commit to putting devices down and paying attention when crossing the street. Show support by signing the pledge today.

Safe Kids Worldwide and FedEx recommend the following tips to keep teens, and all of us, safe while walking.

4 Top Tips for Safe Walking

1. Put down phones and headphones when crossing the street.
2. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
3. Be especially alert when it's dark out, and make sure you're visible to drivers.
4. Cross at a traffic signal or crosswalk when possible.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to prevent childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 25 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 60 percent. Working together, we can do much more for kids everywhere. Join our effort at safekids.org.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. FDX provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $49 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its 340,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

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SOURCE Safe Kids Worldwide