New York – The number of people killed or seriously injured as a result of not being aware of their surroundings due to ear buds or headphones has tripled in the past six years, according to the journal Injury Prevention.
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There were 16 such cases in a recorded period between 2004 and 2005 and 47 between 2010 and 2011.
It’s not just kids who are walking while listening to loud music.
In the 116 cases analyzed, approximately two-thirds of struck pedestrians were younger than 30 but over the age of 18.
47 cases in two years is a small number for the country the size of ours. And consider this: most people walking around with buds growing our of their ears are those “occupy” types anyway. If accidents didn’t “kill or serously injure” them in 2010-2011, the drugs would seriously injure their brains and/or destroy their health and ultimately kill them soon anyway.
Its crazy. Women can push a carrige and cross the road not looking if its ok. Busy with texting or listening to their i pod.
Once again, this site brings to public attention an important safety issue. Many people in our community are busy on cell phones or listening to ear buds, oblivious to their surroundings. There have been close calls. Any injury or death due to this risky behavior is one too many.
Yup, it’s a very small number …
Especially if the “150 people a year are killed from falling coconuts” is a fact 🙂
Thanks VIN, I will be more careful walking with ear phones.
By the way; I don’t think I’m an “occupy” type (whatever that means) as ShmuelG mentioned in his comment.
Another point -which is not for now, Oi-Gevald, the lack of time –
I will just raise the issue in short, B’ezras Hashem , next time we get together we may have a serious discussion…
ShmuelG writes:
“the drugs would seriously injure their brains and/or destroy their health and ultimately kill them soon anyway”
Obesity -which isn’t hard to find in our Heimish world- kills more people then Illegal Drugs… Some “Illegal” drugs actually have no health effects when used moderate.. V’ain kan mokom L’haarich!
And a bit Mussar, if I may:
Please write a bit more respectful when talking about humans -Occupy or Not- , All were created Btzelem Elokim.
Bye for now.
I guess stupidity is not against the law
Nor should it be
Finally this is already a long time law in israel that anyone who gos with both headphones/earbuds will get a ticket if you must hear music listin just in one ear
Yep, was driving down a Manhattan street last week, saw a woman walking, with her back towards traffic, slowed down and beeped to get her attention, as I drew closer yet she still kept walking on the road with her back facing me. I pulled around her and yet still managed to bump into her with my side mirror. The poor idiot couldn’t hear me beeping because she had her headphones. Long story short, she was ok b”h but it could of been far worse.
Reply to #9 if you listen only in one ear, the chances of you “being” in this world are alot more because you will be able un hear when someone is honking or screaming otherwise you are oblivious to whats going on around you I an saying this only because I have seen it for myself that a person 50 feet in front of me was crossing a big road on a red light I started screaming but he couldn’t hear but therefore you have un take it serious its no joke