Texting

Everyone has heard that texting and driving is risky for both the drivers with whom we share the road and the pedestrians who cross in front of us. Because it is so deadly, it is prohibited in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, which are all American territories. However, we have all witnessed drivers who are focused on their phone rather than the road in front of them as they continue to drive. The most common distraction while driving is texting, but there are many others as well (see below).

Even while taking a leisurely stroll through the woods or on suburban streets, texting while walking is risky. Particularly hazardous situations include crossing streets. According to a research by The Ohio State University, the frequency of trips to emergency rooms as a result of injuries sustained when texting while walking increased between 2005 and 2010. Inattention to one's surroundings can lead to dangers including stepping into traffic, opening doors, walking into mailboxes or lampposts, or even just colliding with other pedestrians. While many Americans view such mishaps as just embarrassing, statistics suggest that major injuries are happening more frequently.