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"(Europeans have high rates of car ownership and as many smart phones as Americans)

[..] at the same time pedestrian deaths have been soaring the US, they’ve been dropping steadily in Europe."

Does this adequately control for smart-phone-distraction? Maybe not if Europeans have social or legal elements ruling out smartphone use in the streets.

Do you really think Europe has laws to prevent pedestrians using their phone outside?

The fact is that I just don't know. But it is plausible that local jurisdictions could create and enforce restrictions on pedestrians being distracted while crossing roads. Here in the US we have cities with bans on phone use while driving or cycling, so why couldn't similar restrictions be placed on pedestrians while crossing roads?

Well, there are no such restrictions anywhere in Europe AFAIK.

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