I Am Fascinated By Human Behavior

Texting and Walking...

Everyone is aware of the dangers of using your phone (or other hand-held device) while driving. Have you ever considered the potential perils of doing so while engaging in a "simple" task like walking?

Let's take a look...

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KQoYiCAhZE]

This phenomenon is what psychologists call inattentional blindness - also known as perceptual blindness or failure of awareness. It occurs when a person fails to perceive an unexpected stimulus that is in plain sight.

Pedestrians have been seriously injured and even killed by distracted walking. Many cities have started issuing tickets to people who look down to use a hand-held device while crossing the street. Honolulu recently became the first major city in the U.S. to do so.

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ChampagneOnIce · 51-55, F

People should spend less time with their heads down in their phones. My back went out recently. I was in an airport and being pushed in a wheelchair. I saw so many people almost run into me or others while walking with their heads down looking at their phones. It’s ridiculous. Pay attention to the world around you! As Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

sciguy18 · M

@ChampagneOnIce Coincidentally, I was at the supermarket yesterday afternoon and a woman who was walking and looking down at her phone almost plowed into me. She only stopped when I yelled "Hey!" She looked up quite startled and bewildered...wondering why I had yelled.

ChampagneOnIce · 51-55, F

People are clueless. *shakes head and sighs*

Love4All · 56-60, F

I bumped the car in front of me very slightly on the freeway for just looking at my phone.
It is such a temptation to "quickly" look at your phone to see who texted you.
My niece fell and broke her ankle while walking downstairs (home) and using her phone.
2 people have bumped my car while driving and I'm sure they were using their phone.

sciguy18 · M

@Love4All People just don't realize what can happen when they are not paying attention. Inattentive walking could kill you. Inattentive driving could kill you and others. Luckily, I'm too old (and have no friends), so my eyes are not glued to my phone.

Love4All · 56-60, F

@sciguy18 I'm not glued to my phone but sometimes I just have to look at it. I'll definitely start putting it inside my purse - unreachable.
I tell my teenage kids PLEASE DO NOT use your phone while walking and one time I used it and almost fell right in front of my daughter.

sciguy18 · M

@Love4All I guess that is the point. You don't have to be glued to your phone. Even a brief glance can result in tragedy.

Magenta · F

It's the new definition for 'zombies', lol. Really though, it's rather pathetic. I can easily do without one, I did for a long time even after they became such a mainstream fad.

sciguy18 · M

@Magenta I don't see a problem with cell phones as such. It is in the way they are used by some.

Magenta · F

Yes, as with all things, moderation is key. But when have us humans ever learnt that? ;-)

bijouxbroussard · F

There has actually been legislation here against “texting while walking”, too. It boggles the mind that basic common sense (ie, watching where one is [b]going[/b]) would actually have to be made a [b]law[/b] to try and keep adults from accidentally killing themselves. 😒

sciguy18 · M

@bijouxbroussard In 2012, one of the towns here passed a law banning texting (or looking down at any hand-held device) while crossing the street. You are right though. Who would think they would need laws to protect you from walking...

sunnydreams · F

HAHAHAHA.... they look like idiots.. 😂 ... ouchie!

sciguy18 · M

@sunnydreams Wait a minute. Now I know why you were upset at your family member for posting a photo of you without your consent. You were likely staring at your phone and fell right into a huge dish of poutine...

sunnydreams · F

@sciguy18 good one sci!!! LOL

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