Earphones Connected to More Injuries and Deaths

WASHINGTON - Local officials are seeing a rise in the number of pedestrians and bicyclists who are being killed or seriously injured while wearing earphones.

Transportation officials say several people have been killed in the Washington, DC area. Recently, a 51-year-old jogger was killed by a tractor-trailer truck while crossing Constitution Avenue. DC police say the woman was wearing headphones.

AAA officials say across the United States the number of pedestrian injuries and deaths are increasing because people wearing earphones are not aware of their surroundings.

Derrick Lamar says he knows he is putting himself at risk, but can't break his iPod addition.

Glen Harrison says he is always dodging distracted pedestrians on his bicycle. Harrison uses his bike bell, but he says it doesn't do the trick. He says most people are playing their music too loud and can't even hear his bike bell.

Transportation officials across the country are introducing public safety awareness programs hoping to encourage pedestrians to lower the volume or take the earphones out.