A new report found that pedestrian deaths are on the rise and offered a partial explanation why.

The Governors Highway Safety Association report found a 10 percent increase in pedestrian deaths across the country. 

One part of the reason, it found, is that people are distracted by their smartphones. In just a few minutes near the West Farms Square subway station, News 12 cameras found many people looking down at their phones, walking with earbuds in or both.

The report also found that pedestrian deaths accounted for 15 percent of all traffic deaths.

News 12 reached out to the city's Department of Transportation for its take on the report, but it did not immediately respond.