Life is busy and we all get distracted sometimes. We also fall into habits. Have you ever checked your phone for messages or alerts, even if you haven’t noticed it ring? Research finds about two thirds of us have. I’ve been guilty of this myself, and often wonder what I’m missing around me as I focus on something not even there yet.
Emergency rooms are seeing increasing numbers of injuries caused by distractions while walking, cycling or driving. In shooting this video, I went downtown and just observed for while. I was truly shocked at how many people walked right onto the road without looking up from their handheld devices. I even met a man who had to pull someone back from stepping in front of a bus while texting. After returning to the office, I told a colleague the story and she also knew of someone who had stepped in to prevent a close call. They say it’s dangerous business stepping out your front door every morning. If you’re doing it with blinders on, it can be deadly.
As you get ready for the May long weekend, keep in mind that it holds the dubious distinction of marking the beginning of trauma season. Be aware of what’s happening around you so you can react and stay safe. Focus on this instead: no text or phone call can possibly be worth dying for.
