Cell phone texting accidents, due to distraction while talking, walking and especially driving are increasing. There’s increasing evidence that walking while using your phone to talk, text, tweet and surf is dangerous.
While some users are worried about the RF produced by phones causing brain cancer, you’re more likely to get hurt through common use.
A recent New York Times article refers to “distracted walking.” Teen phone accidents, in particular, are related to using cells while making phone calls or texting. The brain becomes distracted, making it more likely people using their mobile phones will ignore red lights and oncoming traffic.
Accidents requiring an emergency room visit rose to 2,000 in 2008, double that of 2007. As more people become engaged by smartphone apps, cell phone texting while talking becomes more hazardous, especially among multi-tasking users.
Cell phone accidents related to driving are also on the rise. California and other states have banned the use of the devices for calling while driving. Other states have enacted laws prohibiting texting as well. Related accidents and driving statistics are conclusive that cell phone texting distracts drivers.
Cell Phone Texting Among Children
Children walking to school while on using a phone are particularly prone to accidents, according to researchers at the University of Alabama. Another study from the University of Illinois concluded that using your mobile while talking and walking resulted in more accidents than people walking while listening to an iPod or MP3 player. Apparently music, while walking, is less dangerous than only talking.
The increase in phone users, according to one study, may be the culprit, similar to other excessive human behaviors. In other words, increased smoking raises lung cancer cases; more tennis players boost tennis elbow reports and crowded metro areas raise street crime. Some cognitive researchers refer to the phenomenon as “inattentional blindness.” People who phone effects on people who are doing a natural activity–walking–while their brains are thinking and reacting to conversations.
This differs from listening to music while walking which is a non-interactive behavior. Solo walkers aren’t talking with their favorite singer or musician. They’re just listening. So while many people worry about other mobile-related dangers, such as getting cancer, simultaneously walking, talking, texting and surfing with a wireless phone is a greater danger.
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