Smartphone distraction: Texting while walking and other dangers

Texting and driving (Photo credits: www.smartsign.com)

Smartphone distraction a growing problem

Smartphone inattention is a growing problem.

With more than 90% of the adult population owning a cell phone, according to research conducted by the PEW research Center, you are not imagining it when it appears that nearly everyone uses a cell phone.

And most of the cell phones are smartphones making it extremely easy to multitask anytime.

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The benefits far outweigh the dangers, but there are dangers.

Namely smartphone distraction.

In 2011, approximately 23% of all automobile accidents were caused because someone was texting while driving.

Since that time, many states have banned texting while driving and only allow cell phone usage if the driver is using a hands free device,  but the obsession with smartphones continues.

Smartphone distraction is now affecting people that aren’t driving.

Some states are even have texting while walking bans.

In a somewhat humorous moment, Cathy Cruz Marrero was at the Berkshire Mall in Reading, Pa. and fell headfirst into a water fountain.

She became a brief YouTube star and fortunately wasn’t injured.

Many of us have experienced the irritation of trying to talk to someone who is too busy checking their email or posting updates to Facebook.

Sometimes people afflicted with smartphone distraction really hurt themselves.

A person I worked with broke his hip because he was crossing the street while texting.

He did not get hit by a car, but he failed to notice  dip in the pavement and fell and broke his hip . . . and his phone.

Another person fell into a ditch and broke his arm.

More recently, a tourist in Australia, who was preoccupied browsing Facebook plunged off a pier and landed in the water.

She had to be rescued by police and was taken to the hospital.

Smartphones are absolutely awesome but as their popularity soars do does smartphone distraction.

Related articles

• Tips to Help You Eliminate Distracted Driving
• Put Down the Cell Phone
• Texting while walking will cost you, but haven’t we always been distracted?
• Esurance Unveils New Technology To Tackle Texting And Driving Problem Among Teens
• OMG: Adults Far More Likely Than Teens To Use Phones, Text While Driving
• Yikes: Nearly 1 In 4 Adults Surf The Internet While Driving