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Illinois Bill Says No Texting 4 U
In hopes of preventing text-related accidents, Illinois is considering a bill that would outlaw using wireless devices while crossing the street.
30-Second Summary
The legislation, HB 4520, was introduced in January by Rep. Ken Dunkin, D- Chicago, who said: “This legislation is not laughable. On the surface it’s like, ‘Oh wow, what is this?’ But it’s becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves.”
The practice has resulted in people to walking into bicyclists, in-line skaters and even moving vehicles and doctors, as well as lawmakers, are taking note. This week, the American College of Emergency Physicians issued a public warning against the dangers of texting while walking.
“Text-walking” is a form of multitasking, the Chicago Tribune reports. The brain is capable of concentrating on more than one thing at a time, but “it’s a delicate balancing act. All it takes is one unexpected disruption to turn a text-walk into a garble-stumble.”
A British organization publicized the text-messaging-while-walking problem earlier this year when it released a video clip that showed Londoners bumping into lampposts and other objects while sending text messages from cell phones and BlackBerrys.
But knowing the hazards doesn’t seem to be enough to stop habitual text-walkers. Perhaps legislation will.
“Of course I do it. I’m pretty careful. I try to be,” said Illinois resident Kelly Scheiner. But I’m sure I’ve hit someone or something once or twice.”
The practice has resulted in people to walking into bicyclists, in-line skaters and even moving vehicles and doctors, as well as lawmakers, are taking note. This week, the American College of Emergency Physicians issued a public warning against the dangers of texting while walking.
“Text-walking” is a form of multitasking, the Chicago Tribune reports. The brain is capable of concentrating on more than one thing at a time, but “it’s a delicate balancing act. All it takes is one unexpected disruption to turn a text-walk into a garble-stumble.”
A British organization publicized the text-messaging-while-walking problem earlier this year when it released a video clip that showed Londoners bumping into lampposts and other objects while sending text messages from cell phones and BlackBerrys.
But knowing the hazards doesn’t seem to be enough to stop habitual text-walkers. Perhaps legislation will.
“Of course I do it. I’m pretty careful. I try to be,” said Illinois resident Kelly Scheiner. But I’m sure I’ve hit someone or something once or twice.”
Headline Link: Illinois considers text-ban bill
Under the proposed Illinois General Assembly bill, residents would be charged with a misdemeanor and $25 fine if caught using a cell phone or other wireless device while crossing the street.
Source: The Chicago Tribune
Background: ‘LOL (Look Out for the Lamppost)’
Private British directory assistance number 118 118 and Living Streets, a charity organization that works to make cities more accommodating to pedestrians, teamed up earlier this year to produce a video clip that showed Londoners bumping into lampposts and other objects while sending text messages from cell phones and BlackBerrys.
Source: findingDulcinea
“The reason why you can walk and chew gum at the same time is that you can still see where you’re going,” said Dr. Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “But when you’re texting, you’re looking down at your phone. It’s like walking blind.” A story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer includes a list of tips on how to text safely, including “If a call or text message will interfere with your concentration, ignore it.”
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer
The Wall Street Journal reports that “Perhaps the most common blow felt by fallen texters is to their egos.” One New York City executive said he was typing on his BlackBerry in Manhattan when he walked right into the end of a two-by-four being carried by a construction worker.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Related Topic: Cell phones and driving
Cell-phone bans in California, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., have drivers buying hands-free headsets so they can keep on talking in their cars, but hands-free phone conversations might not be any safer, say researchers. Experiments show that drivers can’t simply ignore the voice on the other end of the phone line while driving.
Source: findingDulcinea
Opinions & Analysis: ‘Smart people who know better’
Erik Steele, a physician in Bangor, Maine, who practices in several emergency rooms, writes about the dangers of text-messaging while walking and driving in the Bangor Daily News: “Our infatuation with our cell phones suggests we are still simple creatures who can be entranced with shiny objects. Smart people who know better can be turned into numbskulls by the presence in their palms of gleaming, high-tech text toys.”
Source: Bangor Daily News
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