The number of pedestrians struck by vehicles is on the increase as evidenced by the number of newspaper articles published this past year following such incidents. The increase can also be found in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation statistics.

One of those incidents, involving two 5-year-old stepsisters in Tamaqua, was named one of the top news story of 2016 by Times News staff members.The two girls were critically injured on June 1 as they attempted to cross Railroad Street (Route 309 south) in the area of Depot Square Park. Both are still recovering from their injuries.The Governor’s Highway Safety Association released a report in March concerning the rise in pedestrian-related incidents and pedestrian deaths.The association determined pedestrian deaths have been climbing since 2005, even though total traffic deaths have been on the decline. The number one cause for the increase was listed as “distraction” by both motorists and pedestrians alike.Anything that takes your attention off the road, even for a split second, leaves both pedestrians and motorists vulnerable.PennDOT statistics show significant increases between 2013 and 2015 in almost every county. Schuylkill County’s numbers went from 30 to 64; Carbon saw 24 last year and 9 in 2013; Monroe increased from 18 to 54; and Northampton County’s numbers soared from 76 to 190.Lansford Police Chief Jack Soberick says, “Drivers today are all too often attempting to multitask while driving. Everyone seems to be under various pressures, having to get more done in the same amount of hours. So, while driving, many times people are talking on cellphones, thinking about things they have to do and are not focused on driving.”Soberick added, “Unfortunately, many people are still texting while they drive. All of these distractions are a recipe for disaster when a pedestrian enters the equation.”Pedestrians are also distracted.“Likewise, many pedestrians are not properly focused — busy texting, listening to music with earbuds in place or not following pedestrian safety rules. It comes as no surprise that there is an increase in pedestrian versus vehicle incidents,” Soberick said.Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver says motorists and pedestrians alike sometimes just don’t use common sense.“It doesn’t matter what age you are, whether you’re a driver or a pedestrian, traffic safety ends up being an individual responsibility,” Weaver said.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 in many cases.”Soberick said the streets and highways would be safer if people realize “roadway safety is a shared responsibility, for both drivers and pedestrians.”