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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
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.
