Walking and scrolling: PEMCO Poll finds fewer than half of Northwesterners say they always pay attention on foot
Key Facts (At-a-Glance) 91% of Northwest residents see distracted pedestrians at least some of the time.46% say they
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Key Facts (At-a-Glance)
- 91% of Northwest residents see distracted pedestrians at least some of the time.
- 46% say they always pay attention while walking on the sidewalk or crossing the street.
- 75% say they’re very aware of their surroundings when walking, but only 20% say the same about other pedestrians.
SEATTLE, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Most Northwest residents say they’re very aware of their surroundings when they walk. They’re less sure about everyone else. A new poll from PEMCO Insurance finds that 75% of Washington and Oregon residents describe themselves as very aware on foot, but just 20% say the same about other pedestrians. As Northwest communities continue to encourage walking, biking and transit use, the findings highlight the importance of situational awareness for everyone sharing the road.
The survey points to a blind spot that affects everyone sharing the road: people readily notice distraction in others but are far less likely to recognize it in themselves.
Distraction is easy to spot in others. PEMCO’s latest poll of Washington and Oregon residents found that nine in 10 respondents (91%) say they see pedestrians distracted by phones, earbuds or fellow commuters at least some of the time, and more than half of them (55%) see it often.
However, when it comes to respondents’ perceptions of their own pedestrian etiquette, fewer than half (46%) say they pay attention to their surroundings all of the time. The poll found that when pedestrians are walking on the sidewalk or crossing the street, one-third (33%) use headphones, 27% read or text, 24% talk with someone in person and 23% talk on the phone. One in 10 admit to standing at street corners without intending to cross, which can leave drivers unsure whether to stop.
That’s in contrast to a majority of residents (75%) who say they’re very aware of their surroundings while walking. And while most Northwest pedestrians feel confident in their own attentiveness, just 20% believe other pedestrians are equally aware.
“When we talk about distractions on the road, we tend to focus on drivers, but pedestrians play an important role in safety too,” said Jennifer Hawton, spokesperson for PEMCO Insurance. “Looking down at a phone or tuning out your surroundings can mean missing an approaching vehicle, cyclist or other hazard. Staying alert, making eye contact with drivers and being visible are simple habits that can help prevent accidents.”
Distracted walking is hardly a new phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest. Little has changed since PEMCO’s 2018 Northwest Poll, when 89% of respondents reported seeing distracted pedestrians at least sometimes, compared to 91% today – suggesting that despite a growing awareness, PNW residents are still finding it hard to pry themselves away from multitasking while walking.
To learn more about this poll, visit go.pemco.com/nw-polls-walking-and-scrolling.
About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll
PEMCO Mutual Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by Qualtrics, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 489 respondents in the Seattle Metro (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties) region, 329 respondents in the Portland Metro (Multnomah, Clark, Clackamas, Washington Counties) yields an accuracy of +/- 3.4% respectively at the 95% confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.
About PEMCO Mutual Insurance
Since 1949, PEMCO Mutual Insurance has helped Northwesterners protect what matters most, offering auto, home, renter, condo, boat, umbrella and specialty insurance from a company that knows the region. Customers count on PEMCO for award-winning service and industry expertise, and Forbes has named PEMCO one of America’s Best Insurance Companies for five straight years. PEMCO was also recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces in 2026 and gives back through programs that support youth and education and help build a safer, stronger Pacific Northwest. To find coverage or learn more, visit www.pemco.com.
CONTACTS: Jennifer Hawton PEMCO Mutual Insurance 206.628.5773 Jennifer.hawton@pemco.com Kristi Herriott Firmani + Associates Inc. 206.466.2702 Kristi@firmani.com
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