As the University of Alabama experiences unprecedented enrollment, traffic safety has emerged as a pressing issue for pedestrians on campus. The university is primarily attended by commuters, with only 28% of last year's 33,345 undergraduate students residing on campus. This leaves over 24,000 students needing alternative transportation to reach their classes.
The concern surrounding distracted pedestrians is under scrutiny. Ben Fried, communications director for TransitCenter, expressed in an interview with the New York Times that the focus on distracted pedestrians detracts from implementing significant safety measures.
A study conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham revealed that 52.9% of pedestrians crossed intersections while using their phones. Although these individuals were more likely to look both ways and cross when signaled, researchers acknowledged limitations in their methods and referenced virtual reality research indicating that distracted walking can pose safety risks.
Additional research indicates that distracted pedestrians account for only 5-10% of crashes—a figure notably lower than incidents involving intoxicated walking or driving.
Rutgers public policy professor Kelcie Ralph emphasized in a study that "a misplaced focus on distracted walking will hamper our efforts to save lives and improve safety for all users."
