The Dangerous Things We Do

We hear a lot - and talk a lot - about distracted drivers. We see them all the time: putting on makeup in the car; talking or texting on cell phones; blasting the radio while doing their best impressions of Jay-Z or Beyonce. Pedestrians, cyclists, and even other drivers complain about these drivers who are so engaged in other activities that they don't pay full attention to their driving, and sometimes the result is an accident.

For pedestrians, the shoe is now on the other foot (pun intended). NPR reported recently about a group of Ohio State researchers who are studying the effects of electronic devices on pedestrian safety - except this time, the pedestrians are the one causing the problems. It's probably no surprise to hear that there's evidence that injuries are on the rise as more and more people walk while distracted by iPods or cell phones. Some have worn headphones and turned up the music so loud that they didn't hear a train approaching and were struck and killed. Others have stepped into the path of an oncoming car while talking or texting on a cell phone and were seriously injured.

It saddens me to hear of incidents like these. For obvious reasons, of course, as no one wants to imagine the sadness of those left behind after an entirely preventable accident. But I'm also worried about the problems we pedestrians can create through our inattention. Those of us who walk share responsibility for our safety with our fellow citizens on the roads and sidewalks. It's easy to point fingers at those drivers who pay more attention to changing the radio station than on operating a several ton vehicle. But when we pedestrians step off the curb and into traffic without looking because we're distracted by a text message we have to send right that minute, we too are responsible for creating a dangerous situation.

So what's the answer? I've certainly used an iPod on my walks, and I'm not eager to give it up. But it's also true that it probably prevents me from paying full attention to my surroundings. Some answers are relatively easy: if you can't hear a car or pedestrian approaching, turn down the volume. As for the cell phones, that's easier for me than for others, I'd guess, because I rarely use one and haven't yet entered the brave new world of texting. Honestly, though, if you're walking for exercise, I can't see a lot of benefit in talking on the phone the whole time. I certainly understand the desire of some to carry a phone for emergencies, and I don't think most would have a problem with that. But is it really necessary to give your BFF the blow-by-blow about your disastrous blind date while walking around town? if it is, I won't judge (but I will reserve the right to shoot you a dirty look if your story interrupts my peaceful morning walk). But I beg you, put the phone down for the 15 seconds it takes to look both ways and cross the street. You owe it to the drivers, cyclists, other pedestrians, and mostly to yourself. You're doing a good thing for your body by walking, so you might as well do what you can to keep that body safe while you're at it.