Smartphone usage pattern while walking: A survey on 441 young users in Korea

Abstract

Smartphone usage rate has been increased, and so has on the streets while walking. Concerns for traffic accidents associated with the use have been growing, but there has been limited information regarding smartphone usage pattern while walking. A survey was conducted to explore the usage pattern in terms of frequency of use while walking, and history of accidents, and apps used while walking. Of 441 students, 95.9% used smartphones ‘sometimes’ or more often while walking. 91.8% and 54.6% of 423 used their phones while waiting for a signal and while crossing the crosswalk, respectively. 57.9% experienced accidents or near misses when using smartphones while walking. Text messaging (87.7%) was the most frequently used app while walking, followed by music and phone calls. The findings indicate that using smartphones while walking is a common behavior of young users, and suggest habitual users on the streets were in greater risks for accidents.