There are plenty of warnings circulating about the dangers of distracted driving. But there's another risky behavior with cell phones that can be hazardous to your health as well: walking.
"Clearly drivers aren't the only people distracted by electronic devices," said Consumer Reports' Kim Kleman. "Pedestrians are, too, and it can be dangerous."
In a just-released nationwide poll, Consumer Reports found that 85 percent of Americans had recently seen someone use a mobile device to talk, text, email or use apps while walking.
Of those who witnessed such behavior, 52 percent said that the pedestrians endangered themselves or others. Crossing the street while engaged with the phone was one particularly hazardous activity.
"The numbers are hard to pin down, but injuries occurring while pedestrians are using a mobile device appear to be going up," Kleman said.
A project by a former Ohio State University graduate student estimates that injuries of non-motorized people distracted by cell phones are increasing by more than 180 per year.
Authorities in some cities are starting to crack down on distracted walking, giving out tickets to pedestrians who walk and talk or walk and text.
In Utah, crossing train tracks while talking or texting on a cell phone can mean a $50 fine.