"Googling" for this story I couldn't find any article where texting or cell-phone use was proven as the cause of any accidents, (although it was bound to happen sooner or later). However, I DID find an Internet story showing the problem of pedestrians and cell phones.
PEDESTRIAN MENACES
The article titled, "Cell Phone Use by Pedestrians Rife With Dangers, According To New Study" found on findlaw.com concludes that, "...a pedestrian using a cell phone may be more likely to veer off course, fail to stop and look before stepping into a busy intersection, or walk too slowly to clear traffic when crossing a street. Sometimes, this means injury for the pedestrian when he or she collides with a vehicle or some fixed object; in other instances, drivers who swerve to avoid a pedestrian can get hurt in a resulting crash." FULL ARTICLE http://dgrr.us/HHKmQ1
We see story after story of children and teens falling into manholes or open wells, or into traffic - because they were texting. Obviously cell phone use is a danger for both drivers and walkers. And obviously the only answer is for people to NOT answer their phones or text unless they are completely stationary. As always the Europeans have the solution. They have bright red 'booths' that people can enter to make calls - called, 'phone booths'. It's a revolutionary concept that is saving lives.
Remember, freedom is dangerous, and if Govenor Tomblin and the Legislature are serious about saving lives, West Virginia needs to adopt this idea and ban cell phones altogether. Only calls from home phones, office phones and 'phone booths' should be allowed.
Only then will I feel safe every morning ...putting on my make-up and eating breakfast as I commute to work.
THIS:
NJ Town Bans Texting and Walking
http://www.800wvhu.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=104668&;article=10122907
