An Australian research warns the people from texting or using their smartphones while walking. It's not only that it looks funny and robot-like, but because it is fast becoming a threat to public health.
Dr. Siobhan Schabrun has spent many hours testing the ability of 26 people to type and read text messages while walking.
At best, they irritate other people on the footpath or have a minor fall.
At worst, people can end up in traffic, on a railway line or in the sea.
Dr. Schabrun gives an example of a Facebook-engrossed tourist who had to be rescued from the sea in December after walking off a Melbourne pier.
It's more pronounced if people are typing, but also noticeable if they are reading.
The University of Western Sydney physiotherapist, whose study is published in the journal PLOS ONE said:
"People slow down and deviate from a straight line. They swerve more,"
"Even if they think they are walking straight, they are probably not. That's an issue if you are near traffic or a train track."
"People walk like robots. They try to keep their head straight so their eyes can stay on the phone. They lock their arms, their trunk and their head together.
"The more rigid people are, the more likely they are to fall.
"You think that walking is such a simple skill until you put a phone in someone's hand."
Dr. Schabrun's advice to texters: "Move to one side and stop so you don't drive everybody around you mad. Don't try doing both at once. Especially if you are near traffic."
Ever since smartphone use has risen dramatically over the years (around 77% of the world’s population own a mobile phone), there was a natural increase in overall phone-related accidents.
According to an Ohio State University study, U.S. emergency-room visits that were linked to phone use on the move has actually doubled to as many as 1,500 between 2005 and 2010.
In the town of Fort Lee, New Jersey, authorities have started issuing $85 tickets to any pedestrians caught texting and walking. --Source: News.com.au/Ubergizmo