Pocono News Section

Texting While Walking Can Be Dangerous

Texting While Walking Can Be Dangerous - Monday, July 28, 2008 at 6:27PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Monday, Jul 28, 2008 @ 06:27pm EST
MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY --A group of emergency doctors is warning about the dangers of text messaging. For those who've never done it, it's typing notes on a cell phone key pad to another user. Consumer reporter Jeff Chirico here with why some “texters” are ending up in the E-R.

It seems “texters” aren't paying attention to their surroundings. We know it's dangerous to text and drive, but texting while walking or biking or rollerblading can be just as dangerous and even deadly. It's the way young people communicate. "How many text messages a day? Probably 200."

So many, some try to do two things at once. “I was walking up steps while text messaging. I tripped and fell.""
"One time I was riding my bike and I was texting I kind of ran into a car.

Now the American College of Emergency Physicians says more teens and twenty-somethings are ending up in E. R.s with face injuries or worse.

Pamela Kramer/Mom "I was thinking about driving down the road. I never thought about just being a pedestrian." "Half the time they don't pay attention when they walk across the parking lot anyway."

There aren't numbers, but doctors say “texters” have caused accidents with rollerbladers, bikers. And one woman was run over and killed when she stepped off a curb while texting."

Dr. David Westawski Geisinger Wyo. Valley

“I'll see people distracted and texting, looking for cell phone, driving is a big one." Geisinger E. R. Doctor David Westawski says doing any activity while texting can be more dangerous than just talking on the phone. "Even someone who's rollerblading biking, motorcycling even if they're skilled at doing it you still need a fair amount of concentration to text somebody."

These teens agree. "I'm just not aware of what's going around cause I'm worried what that one message says because it might be important." So doctors recommend avoid texting while doing most any physical activity. But it's easier texted than done.

Distracted “texters” have become such a problem in the United Kingdom, they're trying out padded lampposts in one part of London.