Pedestrian Deaths On The Rise In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS  - The number of pedestrians struck and killed is on the rise in Minnesota, and distracted walking appears to be a big factor.

As of mid-December, the number of pedestrian deaths this year had risen to 38 in Minnesota. That's after pedestrian deaths in the state had dropped to a six-year low of 17 in 2014.

Hundreds more walkers are landing in the emergency room.

Distracted driving gets a lot of attention. But new research shows pedestrians are increasingly putting themselves in danger by using cellphones, headphones and tablets.

Figures from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety show failure to follow the rules of the road was the most common factor - 24 percent - in pedestrian crashes in which the person walking was at fault.