Everyone knows the dangers of using your cell phone while driving. No talking, no texting, no web surfing or email checking while behind the wheel or youll be in big trouble.
Image by flikr user istolethetv
But did you know it can also be dangerous to use your cell while walking? Believe it! According to research published by Ohio State University, the number of pedestrians admitted to the ER because theyre too busy on their mobile phone to watch where they are going has doubled in the last five years and is expected to double again in the next five. Never fear! The Voxox blog teams got your back. Weve come up with 4 hypothetical scenarios and lessons to learn on how to avoid danger and bodily injury during pedestrian phone usage.
Scenario #1: You have another email from your mom, wanting to know why you havent called, how that new relationship is going, and why she doesnt have any grandbabies yet. Fighting the urge to roll your eyes, you begin to draft your response as you walk from your car to the office. You are so focused on defending yourself to dear old mom that you fail to notice the caution signs and traffic cones blocking off a section of freshly laid cement.
SPLAT. There go your new Jimmy Choo pumps AND your patience.
Lesson Learned: When typing on the go, dont be so focused on your composing that you wander straight into danger! For the sake of safety and your footwear, pay attention to your surroundings.
Scenario #2: Aw, that little poodle is wearing a pink sweater! Time to take an adorable picture for Facebook. Wheres the zoom button on this phone camera . . . wait, shes coming closer. And closer. And closer. And . . .
CHOMP. Sweet little Fifi just chomped on your leg while you were fiddling with your phone.
Lesson Learned: Dont forget that what youre taking a picture of is real and can interact with you while youre distracted by getting the perfect shot! And also, dont put clothing on disgruntled animals.
Scenario #3: That international conference call youve been waiting for just started. While waiting in line for your morning Starbucks. As you work on juggling your latte, danish, and mastery of a foreign language, you fail to notice how loud you are talking. You are so focused that you dont see the scathing looks and hushes of your fellow caffeine-deprived patrons.
SMACK. An elderly woman whacks you right across the belly with her surprisingly heavy purse, spilling your drink and dropping your phone on the floor. There goes your caffeine fix and that new account you were about to land.
Lesson Learned: Be aware and considerate of the people around you while making a call. Failing to do so may be more dangerous than you thought. (This is also why you stay away from Bingo night.)
Scenario #4: You just finished dinner and want to head home. You remember the local taxi company has a new app, and start searching your phone to find it as you walk across the street.
SCREEEEECH!!! You look up just in time to see a taxi swerve around you, barely missing you as it speeds by. You almost got hit by irony at 35 miles an hour!
Lesson Learned: Never ever cross the street without paying attention. Seems so obvious, but our obsession with multi-tasking and time saving tends to stand in the way of common sense.
The bottom line here: PAY ATTENTION! Dont neglect your surroundings in favor of that funny Reddit picture or dramatic text from your best friend. Your phone has a wealth of information, entertainment, and awesome apps like Voxox, but there are safe ways to consume today's latest digital goodies without a trip to the ER.
