If Americans are anything like Australians, this should surprise absolutely no-one. People are driven to distraction here, often glued to their smartphones with zero situational awareness.
When this applies to both drivers and pedestrians, the outcome is predictable.
Which is why I don't blame QLD for adding their "mobile phone while driving" cameras. It's silly to me that people do. Of course that can't solve for pedestrians looking at their phones, but drivers at least should be stopped from doing so.
Here in Los Angeles, I noticed a dramatic uptick in phone usage while driving over this time period. I believe the primary cause of driver and pedestrian distraction is phone usage.
When this applies to both drivers and pedestrians, the outcome is predictable.