For each and every one of the past five years, more pedestrians have been struck, and killed, in Schuylkill County than in Carbon County.

Does that mean Carbon drivers are more careful than their Schuylkill counterparts?Are Schuylkill pedestrians less careful than those in the neighboring county?Probably neither, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation safety press officer Sean Brown."The difference in numbers is mostly due to the fact that Carbon is a much smaller county, with less population and less traffic," Brown said.When it comes to pedestrian versus vehicle accidents, Brown said, "Each situation is different. It would be hard to generalize who is more at fault. Drivers and pedestrians share the responsibility for observing traffic safety."The most common factor in pedestrian-involved accidents is simply distraction, Brown said.Whether it's a cellphone, headphones, looking away for "just a second" or becoming deeply involved in conversation with another, anything that drawsyour attention away from the road could lead to serious injury or death.On the drivers' side, sometimes a type of tunnel vision develops, and the motorist is so busy watching the traffic in front and in back they fail to see what is happening off to the side."Side streets, pedestrians, cyclists all prove to be distractions for drivers" said Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick. "Motorists need to eliminate or minimize the distractions they can control."There has been one pedestrian-vehicle accident in Rush Township this year, with the pedestrian found to be at fault.The basics"Lack of common sense," said Tamaqua Chief of Police Richard Weaver. "Whether it's drivers going too fast, either for conditions or to react when they become distracted, or pedestrians who don't make sure the way is clear before stepping off the sidewalk, it comes down to basic traffic safety."It doesn't help when motorists become impatient or don't leave themselves enough time to safely drive to a destination.But it's not just motorists who are distracted by cellphones, headphones, conversation and more.Pedestrians fall prey to the same distractions, leaving them vulnerable while trying to cross a street or walk along the edge of a roadway.Brown said, "Pedestrians need to do their part and make sure they are visible to drivers. Wear reflective gear at night. Look for traffic in all directions before attempting to cross the street, even at intersections with stop lights and pedestrian crossings. Don't be so involved in a conversation or listening to music that you forget about the cars and trucks on the same streets/roads. Drivers and pedestrians alike shouldn't let alcohol impair their judgment."The peopleSafe Kids Worldwide notes that "unintentional pedestrian injuries are the fifth leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 19."PennDOT statistics for Carbon County show 12 pedestrian-involved incidents in 2009, with one fatality; five in 2010; nine in 2011, with one fatal; five in 2012; and nine in 2013, with one fatal.In August, a worker was struck on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton. Carl Eckhart of Palmerton, was standing somewhere in the middle of the street, when he was hit by Annette Wargo, 76, of Palmerton. He was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, with a head injury.A week later in Lehigh County, a toddler was killed on Mountain Road in Washington Township. Farrah Munoz , 21 months old, was struck in front of her home.Several other fatalities were reported in recent weeks in Lehigh County.PennDOT statistics for Lehigh County note 132 pedestrian crashes in 2009 (4 fatal); 152 in 2010 (5 fatal); 157 in 2011 (5 fatal); 190 in 2012 (10 fatal); and 177 in 2013 (6 fatal).In Northampton County, the numbers were: 67 in 2009 fatal); 90 in 2010 (4 fatal); 76 in 2011 (1 fatal); 82 in 2012 (3 fatal); and 76 in 2013 (4 fatal).Monroe Counties numbers include: 20 in 2009 (4 fatal); 35 in 2010 (5 fatal); 26 in 2011 (4 fatal); 18 in 2012 (1 fatal); and 18 in 2013 (0 fatal).In Schuylkill County, there were 30 pedestrian accidents in 2009, with three fatalities; 28 in 2010, with two fatal; 42 in 2011, with two fatal; 41 in 2012, with four fatal; and 30 in 2013, with one fatal.It doesn't matter what age you are, whether you're a driver or a pedestrian, or which county you live in, traffic safety ends up being an individual responsibility.