Distracted…Walking?

Campaigns targeted at reducing distracted driving are becoming commonplace.  Solid research proves driving requires coordination of visual, mental and physical ability.  Accidents happen when people do not concentrate on the task of driving alone.

But what about walking?

Last year, a shopping mall security video circulated around the Internet after Cathy Cruz Marrero was filmed tumbling into a mall fountain while texting.  After the accident, Ms. Cruz Marrero said, [t]exting and walking, take it from me, is dangerous. It really is.

While some advocates are concerned campaigns about distracted pedestrians will actually distract from the motoring message about distracted driving, recognition of the overall danger of lost attention is important.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) noted 2010 pedestrian fatality figures appear to end a four-year decrease of people killed while walking.  Distraction during any activity can prove fatal.

Pedestrians using earbuds or headphones are at particular risk from auditory masking.  Masking occurs when sound occupies the brain, like listening to music.  Arrival of a second sound or signal, like a truck backing up, is suppressed or masked by the brain, because the brain is already managing the first stimuli. Sound missed might mean life lost.

In Dallas, we provide aggressive legal help and representation to people injured in car, truck, bicycle and pedestrian accidents.  A lot of evidence points to dangers of engaging life with less than full attention.  Get focused legal help if injured because someone else was distracted.