Filipinos, particularly the young, who could not seem to put their mobile phones down no matter what they are doing or where they are, should take this story from the United States as a warning.
An online report by Jacoba Urist for NBC News says teen pedestrian injuries are on the rise in the US and “experts believe it’s because so many are distracted by their phones while walking.”
She says experts are blaming texting while walking for the rising number of pedestrian injuries and deaths among teens. Urist cites a new report from SafeKids, a global nonprofit organization focused on preventing injuries among children, that shows that, in recent years, pedestrian injuries among 16-19-year-olds increased 25 percent. Teens aged 14-19 made up half of all child pedestrian injuries.
Sponsored by Federal Express, “Walking Safely: A Report to the Nation,” does not break down how many accidents were related to the use of mobile devices, but Urist says Kate Carr, president and chief executive officer of SafeKids Worldwide, believes “that’s what is driving the rise in injuries.”
Urist quotes Carr: “We know that the average number of texts per teen has risen dramatically. Couple that with drivers who are talking on the phone or texting, and you have distracted people on both sides of the equation. Our hypothesis is that the rise in injuries among these older teens is caused by their dramatic increase in their cell-phone use.”
Urist says Andrea Gielen, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, recommends that parents begin teaching safe walking habits early. Kids should not be allowed to cross the street unaccompanied by an adult until they are at least 10. Parents can model good behavior by not using their phones while they are on the street.
Gielen also reminds parents to teach children that they cannot rely on drivers to be paying attention. Filipinos need not be reminded that they cannot rely on drivers, particularly those operating public-utility vehicles, to be careful and alert. Many drivers do not even know what traffic signs mean as they have not had any formal driving instruction.
According to Urist, Gielen says kids need to learn how to be safe pedestrians just like they learn to be safe drivers in driver’s education classes.
Gielen’s three golden rules for all pedestrians:
Follow all street signs and cross with the light.
Always put your phone down or in your pocket before you step off the sidewalk.
Make eye contact with the driver before you cross.
Giving back
Some companies are beginning to give back to consumers in more meaningful ways than just the occasional discounts and cute promotions.
Dove, for instance, has partnered with Rustan’s Supermarket, to advance the cause of breast-cancer awareness through the In the Pink of Health campaign. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The fundraising initiative will benefit the ICanServe Foundation, which promotes early breast–cancer detection. With every purchase of the Dove Pink Kit, which costs P199, the foundation will get P5.
Meanwhile, Monde Nissin, maker of Lucky Me! instant noodles, sponsored the publication of the book “Famealy Matters: 50-plus Stories of Everyday Intimacy at the Family Dining Table.” Compiled by motivational speaker Francis Kong, it features stories from families about how sharing meals have strengthened their bonds and how it has helped parents raise responsible and well-behaved children.
Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail [email protected].
