Hazards of using mobile devices while in motion

Distractions can lead to injuries, especially when a person is in motion. The impact of distractions while in motion such as driving or walking has been a subject of recent inquiry. Walking while texting or talking on the phone, watching a video on the phone, or listening to music on any mobile device has been found to be very hazardous. It is even more hazardous to be doing these distractive tasks while running or driving. Simply put, these distractive tasks shouldn’t be done while in motion. Doing these distractive tasks while driving can be hazardous not only to oneself but also to other motorists as well as to vulnerable road users. Similarly, doing these distractive tasks while running or walking can be hazardous to oneself as well as to other passers-by. These days, it is not uncommon to see runners with headphones bumping into other runners or walkers in the park and causing injuries to themselves and their victims. Some of the common risks associated with distracted walking include trips, sprains, strains, fractures, cuts, bruises, concussions, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and injury to someone else. The risks increase exponentially with distracted driving.

In the current issue of the Journal, Baig et al. (2018) report on the prevalence and attitude of university students towards the use of mobile phones while driving in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Using a cross-sectional design, the authors surveyed students selected via a non-probabilistic convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire adapted from a previously published study. Eligibility included a current driver with a valid driving license. Of 700 students invited for participation, 593 returned completed questionnaires for a response rate of 84.7%. The vast majority of respondents (90%) reported to have texted while driving, with 25% texting very frequently, 42% texting fairly often, 12% texting on a few occasions, 11% texting once or twice, and 10% reporting never texting. While the majority acknowledged that the use of mobile phones while driving was unsafe, illegal, and dangerous, several respondents had the notion that texting while operating a vehicle was not distracting (Baig et al., 2018). The authors called for urgent need to implement existing laws and also to devise new laws to control this serious public health issue.

Other researchers have reported on the menace caused by distracted drivers, walkers, and runners (Bergmark, Gliklich, Guo, & Gliklich, 2016; Hill, Rybar, Styer, Merchant, & Eastmen, 2015). In this editorial, the term ‘using mobile devices while in motion’ refers to tasks such as making calls, receiving calls, texting messages, reading messages, playing games, watching videos, or using any form of social media (e.g. WhatsApp, Facebook) while walking, running, or driving as used in the study by Baig et al. (2018). All these activities can lead to injuries and deaths. The scientific literature and newsprint is being flooded periodically with articles on distractions using mobile devices – iPod, cell phones, and tablets – while in motion. For example, people have been seriously hurt from crashing with other people or stationary objects while filming events on tablets at public functions such as weddings. Extreme cases have included people falling off cliffs while filming on tablets.

Walking around while paying attention to one’s cell phone screen instead of the real world is dangerous. Texting and other use of a smartphone while walking has been identified as a hazard for pedestrian deaths, which have increased by 25% from 2010 to 2015 and are continuing to rise. Honolulu, Hawaii became the first city to enact fines for viewing an electronic device while crossing the street in the city and county in October, 2017. Offenders could get a $35 fine for distracted walking there. A recent study observed over 1000 people crossing an intersection. Those who were texting while crossing took almost two extra seconds to cross, which is 18% slower than average. They were 3.9 times more likely to display an unsafe crossing behaviour. These included disobeying the lights, crossing at mid-intersection, or failing to look both ways. More people were texting (7.3%) vs. talking on a handheld phone (6.2%). Only one in four people observed all four pedestrian safety rules (Thompson, Rivara, Ayyagari, & Ebel, 2013).

Using mobile devices while in motion has indeed become a significant public health problem. In response to these distractions which have the potential to cause injuries and sometimes deaths, public health experts are advocating preventive measures such as mentioned in the referenced article. Not surprisingly, several jurisdictions in the US now have a law forbidding the use of cell phones in school zones with violations attracting a fine of about $250. In New York, there is a law that states that no person shall operate a motor vehicle when using any portable electronic device while such vehicle is in motion. A person who holds a portable electronic device in a conspicuous manner while operating a motor vehicle is presumed to be using such device. Anyone found guilty of violating the new law prohibiting texting and driving risks an assessment of three points on their driving record and a fine of up to $150. Current New York State law includes the following penalties for distracted drivers: For a first offense, the minimum fine is $50 and the maximum is $200. A second offense in 18 months increases the maximum fine to $250.

Experts from several US universities including Bentley University, Carnegie Mellon University, Ohio State University, New Jersey City University, New York University, Rutgers University, University of Birmingham, University of California, San Francisco, and Western Washington University have contributed to the body of knowledge on the hazards of using mobile devices while walking. Additionally, several professional organizations such as the American College of Emergency Physicians and Safe Kids USA have done same. Among some of the important outcomes of their contributions are pointers to hazards of using mobile devices while walking and how to prevent accidents from distracted walking (summarized below) (National Safety Council, 2018):

Hazards of using mobile devices while walking

• Cell phones: Inattention to surroundings or lack of situational awareness

• Texting while walking: Eyes taken away from path of travel and inattention to surroundings

• MP3 players with headphones: Noise-induced hearing loss and inattention to surroundings

How to prevent accidents from distracted walking

• Don’t walk, talk and text.

• If you have to talk or text, move to the side of the walkway out of the way of others.

• Never cross or walk in the street while using an electronic device.

• Do not walk with headphones in your ears.

• Keep track of your surroundings.

The hazards associated with using mobile devices while in motion are enormous and costly. It behooves public health advocates to continue to educate the public to desist from these distractive behaviours. Baig et al. (2018) outline some of the measures that can be used in their article including targeting school curricula, increasing public awareness through lectures and seminars, and enforcement of available laws. This will require governmental departments working in concert with concerned non-governmental organizations.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.