UK NEWS

6 MILLION WHO IGNORED SAFE TEXT MESSAGE

A pilot scheme began in Brick Lane yesterday

Wednesday March 5,2008

By Mark Reynolds

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MORE and more of us are taking the risk of having unprotected text.

Six million Britons were injured last year bumping into lamp posts, bollards and litter bins while trying to walk and text on mobile phones at the same time.

New figures reveal that more than one in ten needed treatment for injuries including broken noses, cheekbones and even in one case a fractured skull.

Research among 1,055 adults discovered that 63 per cent concentrate so hard when they are texting that they become “blind” to objects around them.

Mobile phone users are now being advised to use template messages to speed up texting and look up every five seconds to avoid hazards.

In light of the growing injury toll, one in four of those questioned by directory service 118118 said they would support “mobile lanes” on pavements.

These vividly-coloured routes would act like cycle lanes and skirt round danger spots.

Nearly half would also back precautions such as protective pads on lamp posts to protect texting pedestrians.

Eighty per cent of Britons now own a mobile phone, compared to 20 per cent in 1997. Research by the Mobile Data

Association found that Britons send an average of 4.7 million text queries and messages every hour.

But there has also been a 40 per cent increase in street clutter such as CCTV supports, speed cameras, bins and recycling points during the last two decades.

Tony Armstrong, of campaign group Living Streets, said: “Our pavements are increasingly becoming obstacle courses for pedestrians.

“We were shocked by the scale of accidents reported, but know from our members that cluttered streets continue to cause daily danger to pedestrians.”

In response to the findings 118118 has designed special “safe text” pads which will be attached to lamp posts in accident blackspots to protect pedestrians.

A pilot scheme began in London’s Brick Lane yesterday and if successful could be rolled out to other cities.

William Ostrom, of 118118, said: “People are in constant communication with mobiles and often juggling several things at once. Hopefully, this scheme will reduce the risk of injury.”

He added: “This study highlights the amazing scale of walk-and-text injuries. Britons are clearly text addicts, so we need to make sure they are protected on the streets.”

IT IS NOT THE CLUTTERED PAVEMENTS, IT'S THE CLUTTERED MINDS OF TEXTERS TOO INVOLVED WITH THEIR MOBILE PHONES

05.03.08, 2:30pm

In the U.S. we have had at least two people killed who were sending text messages while CROSSING A RAILROAD LINE with a train coming into view. Total concentration on the phone and nothing else, and fatally. What does this say about people texting while driving? It is frightening. So many seem obsessed with their cell phones to the exclusion of all else. I don't hold out much hope that people suddenly back off this obsession while driving.

I know from a friend in France that there it is banned. Absolutely. And you'd better not be seen even removing your cell phone from the dashboard of your car, or having a passing police officer see you with it in your hand for any reason. Cell phones have become hazardous to one's health and not with regard to the reasons there are surveys going on about their connection to cancer, etc.

What is wrong here is the common denominator for many ills: irresponsibility. Many seem to echew responsibility now: for their children, their personal safety, and their health - 24-hour drinking is driving wits and responsibility out of so many, day in and day out.

With all our technical advances, our medical advances, the world is still becoming a more and more dangerous place because we ourselves are retarding, some of us, with our irresponsible hang-ups with new gadgets and not the least of them the mobile phone.

Move the trash cans around all you want, put up big signs too, it won't make a bit of difference. These mobile phones have become people's constant companions 24/7, 'til death us do part - and that's the way it was with 2 people meeting up with a train while texting on the phone in the U.S. What to do? Who knows, except pay super attention while driving anywhere near these idiots so wrapped up with their phones.

• Posted by: Rothaymere • Report Comment