Short answer: “eyes glued to iPhone”, however distractions of any kind existed before the smartphone from people blasting loud music with headphones via a walkman, putting the radio at max volume, having either a book or newspaper obstructing one’s view. You get the point, I once heard an incident involving a woman almost getting ran over by a street car in Turkey all because she’s glued to the phone screen whilst walking.
Interesting, but yes I.'d think (hope) each bus death. or injury changes the driver and bus operating organisation, and municipality in some way. Even if it was the pedestrians ‘fault’, the bus can probably do things to reduce the risk.
This research should ideally start with a random/representative sample of people exposed to a measurable level of bus death risk.