DANGER ZONE

I am driving alone in a 35 zone doing only 25 because I just got out from behind a big onion truck. (A regular traffic issue for those of us who live in potato/onion country.) I am traveling up a hill past a hospital. I am coming to the top of the hill. The car to the right of me suddenly slams to a stop. In the split seconds it takes me to react and start braking a teenagers head begins to emerge from around the car to my right. Panic grips me and I am on the break as hard as humanly possible. My car is fighting to stop so hard and fast and begins to slide slightly sideways. Two teenage girls heads are now visible and they are both looking downward. They are continuing across the road for a collision course with my car. I hear someone yelling for them to stop. My car finally squeals to a stop only centimeters from the closest girl. Horns are honking and I feel like I am on the verge of passing out. The closest girl finally looks up from her phone and finally registers on her face what just happened. Her girl friend doesn't look up till she is in the next lane of traffic. Where she stops to stare at her friend obviously confused. They have to remove their EARBUDS to talk to each other.

There was no collision and no one was hurt. However, this could have been the worst day of all of our lives. I thank God that I was already going ten miles slower than the speed limit and that I was able to stop in time. Later that day as I was driving home I came across several drivers who were using their phones. Just F.Y.I this was all before Pokémon Go.

The two most dangerous things any of us can do with our electronic devices is DRIVE and WALK/RUN!

JUST WALK

We see the logo above for driving all the time. Not until Pokémon Go started did we really hear anything in the media about the dangers of walking or running while using our devices. First off if you have both earbuds in you cannot hear what is going on around you. You cannot hear horns, brakes, or someone coming at you. Yes that is right! You are making it so much easier for someone to attack you. So what can you do to be safer while walking and running with your devices?

1. STOP- If you need to turn your attention to your device then stop in a safe area before looking at your device. Using a blue tooth device or some ear buds will let you answer texts and calls with out looking at your phone. Which can be good for kids walking home from school and runners who run in unpopulated areas. Both of these instances would be ideal to use a buddy system. You are less likely to be attacked if there are two of you.
2. LOOK- NEVER, EVER cross a road with out stopping and looking both ways. This also includes railways. Keep your eyes up when walking and running. When you stop to look at your device look for a safe area before turning your attention to your device. Stand out of the flow of foot traffic as well. This is very important in areas like Manhattan where there are huge hordes of foot traffic. It is easy to get knocked over or even pushed into traffic when you are not paying attention.
3. LISTEN- If you are using earbuds only put one in. This allows your other ear to hear the warning noises around you like horns, tires squealing, an engine, or even footsteps. Not to mention if you are with a buddy you can hear them warn you of danger and talk to you.
4. BUDDY UP- If you like to run, you are a kid, or you like gamming like Pokémon Go, buddy up. Take a friend! At least one of you should be the designated NO DEVICER. That means that person is in no way distracted by their device while doing the walking or running.

Ask yourself if you love yourself more than your device. Your answer should be yes. If it is no, then you need help I cannot give on this blog. I will address the driving and devices in my next post. It requires that much attention.