Walking the walk

Researchers observed 3,038 people ambling across crosswalks in New York City and Flagstaff, Ariz. (um, okay) and exploded a myth: Distracted walking is hardly ever to blame when cars hit pedestrians.

Turns out, no matter how many people might be enraptured in a device while strolling around the neighborhood, 86.5% were paying attention when actually in the intersection.

And even among the few who were talking on the phone (2.9%) or texting (5.7%) or had headphones in their ears (3.7%), the vast majority crossed at the right time and in the right place.

So don’t blame phone-addicted walkers for getting hit by cars. Do, however, feel free to yell at the oblivious jerks when they’re striding right toward you on the sidewalk.