Distracted Walking in Ontario: How Looking at Your Phone Can Lead to Serious Injuries

August 26, 2026, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Most people have heard about the dangers of distracted driving. Fewer people realize that distracted walking has also become a growing safety concern.

Whether it's reading a text message, scrolling through social media, selecting music, or wearing noise-cancelling headphones, distractions can reduce a pedestrian's awareness of the environment around them.

Across Ontario, more people are choosing to walk for commuting, exercise, and recreation. Communities throughout Waterloo Region continue to invest in sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian-friendly streets. While these improvements encourage active transportation, they also increase interactions between pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Staying alert is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of a serious collision.

In the News

Police services across Ontario regularly remind both drivers and pedestrians that road safety is a shared responsibility. Many collisions involving pedestrians occur at intersections, driveways, parking lots, and crosswalks where one or more road users fail to notice the other in time.

As smartphones become an everyday part of life, safety campaigns increasingly encourage pedestrians to "look up" before crossing the street.

What Is Distracted Walking?

Distracted walking occurs whenever a pedestrian's attention is diverted away from their surroundings.

Common distractions include:

• Reading or sending text messages.
• Browsing social media.
• Watching videos.
• Talking on the phone.
• Wearing headphones at high volume.
• Programming a fitness watch or GPS device.
• Eating while walking.
• Talking with companions without watching traffic.

Even a few seconds of inattention can make the difference between crossing safely and stepping into danger.

Where Do Most Pedestrian Collisions Occur?

Many people assume pedestrian collisions happen only on busy roads.

In reality, they frequently occur in places people use every day, including:

• Signalized intersections.
• Marked crosswalks.
• Parking lots.
• Shopping centre entrances.
• School zones.
• Residential neighbourhoods.
• Driveways.
• Multi-use trails where cyclists and pedestrians share space.

Drivers and pedestrians alike may be distracted in these environments.

Why Smartphones Increase the Risk

Looking at a phone affects more than just vision.

It can reduce a person's ability to:

• Notice approaching vehicles.
• Hear warning horns.
• Observe changing traffic signals.
• Recognize cyclists.
• React quickly to unexpected hazards.

Research has shown that people using smartphones while walking often slow down, change direction unexpectedly, or fail to scan intersections before crossing.

Drivers Still Have Responsibilities

Although pedestrians should remain attentive, drivers also have important legal obligations.

Motorists should:

• Watch carefully for pedestrians at intersections.
• Yield where required by law.
• Reduce speed in school zones and residential areas.
• Be especially cautious when turning left or right.
• Check carefully before entering or exiting driveways.

Many serious pedestrian collisions occur because a driver simply failed to see someone in time.

Local Perspective: Walking in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region has become increasingly pedestrian-friendly, with expanding trail systems, protected crossings, and revitalized downtown cores.

Popular walking areas include:

• Uptown Waterloo
• Downtown Kitchener
• Downtown Cambridge (Galt)
• Cambridge Centre
• Waterloo Park
• Victoria Park
• The Cambridge-to-Paris Rail Trail
• Iron Horse Trail

These locations attract families, commuters, students, and tourists. Increased foot traffic means everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—must remain alert.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Collisions

Because pedestrians have little physical protection, even lower-speed collisions can result in significant injuries, including:

• Concussions.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Broken bones.
• Pelvic injuries.
• Spinal injuries.
• Internal injuries.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Psychological trauma.

Prompt medical assessment is important, even if symptoms initially seem minor.

Myth vs. Fact

Myth

"If a pedestrian is looking at their phone, they're automatically at fault."

Fact

Liability depends on the circumstances. Drivers continue to owe a duty to operate their vehicles safely and obey Ontario traffic laws.

Myth

"Pedestrian collisions only happen on busy roads."

Fact

Many occur in parking lots, residential neighbourhoods, and commercial areas where speeds are lower but visibility may be limited.

Myth

"If I'm wearing headphones, I'll still hear approaching traffic."

Fact

High-volume headphones—especially noise-cancelling models—can significantly reduce your awareness of nearby vehicles, bicycles, and emergency sirens.

Practical Safety Tips

Whether you're walking to work or enjoying a weekend stroll:

1. Put your phone away before crossing.
2. Remove or lower one earbud near traffic.
3. Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible.
4. Cross only where it is safe and legal.
5. Stay alert in parking lots and driveways.
6. Avoid assuming a driver has seen you.
7. A few seconds of attention can prevent a lifetime of consequences.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Collision?

If you're struck by a vehicle:

• Call 911 if emergency assistance is needed.
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Report the collision to police.
• Photograph the scene if you are able.
• Obtain witness information.
• Preserve your clothing and footwear.
• Avoid discussing fault at the scene.

Many injuries, including concussions and internal injuries, may not be immediately obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still receive accident benefits if I was walking?

Yes. In many cases, pedestrians injured by a motor vehicle may qualify for Ontario's accident benefits, regardless of who caused the collision.

What if I was looking at my phone when I was hit?

That does not automatically determine liability. Every case depends on its specific facts, and multiple factors may contribute to a collision.

Should I seek medical attention even if I can walk away?

Yes. Some injuries may not become apparent until hours or days after the incident.

Can security cameras help prove what happened?

Absolutely. Footage from nearby businesses, homes, or municipal cameras can be valuable evidence and should be preserved as soon as possible.

The Bottom Line

Walking is one of the healthiest and most environmentally friendly ways to get around, but it requires constant awareness from everyone using the road. Drivers must remain vigilant for pedestrians, and pedestrians should minimize distractions that reduce their ability to recognize hazards.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian collision, the team at Deutschmann de Koning Personal Injury Law can help you understand your rights, navigate Ontario's insurance system, and pursue the support you need to recover.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.