Texting and Walking

Over the past year this has become a controversial problem, and I really don’t understand why. Yes, it is annoying to have someone suddenly stop to check their phone in front of you. It is also hilarious when you watch someone walk into a wall, or door because they are looking at their phone. But, can it really be a crime? In my opinion: no, no it can’t. Here are my reasons why.

See, even Bieber! He even has bodyguards!

Stopping while texting....

This is ridiculous. Is it only now that we notice the annoying people who sharply stop in front of us? No! If anyone has gone anywhere in Toronto where people like to shop, or I don’t know...walk? Since you probably have, you have likely been stopped short by someone who just abruptly stops because a) they are lost, b) they do a human U-turn when they realize where they are and run into you, c) they are stopping to go into their purse, or d) they want to look at the window of a store. This happens everywhere, and not because of just texting. So, unless you are going to make all abrupt human stops illegal maybe you should think about how everyone (including yourself) behaves while walking anywhere.

People running into things..

What? Really? That is more expensive than a parking ticket!

While hilarious, happens all the time and especially when they are walking with somebody. At any moment you could be looking in the wrong direction, and end up running into a pole, a door, or even get hit by a car. I would like to point out that as a pedestrian if you get hit by a car, its not your fault, even if you were not paying attention. As a driver it is ALWAYS your fault. You take the responsibility of watching the road, and looking around to make sure nothing and no one is in your way. One of the first lessons in driving school is that if drunk Johnny is walking into an intersection and you don’t see him and hit him even though it’s your green, it is your fault if you hit him, as you are the responsible party. I know it’s hard to believe but it is true, cars are dangerous and that is why a pedestrian is never at fault.

If you are going to fine pedestrians because they get hit by a car... no wait.. you wouldn’t do that because it is a stupid idea.

This idea that people have about texting and walking being a crime is a double standard on what pedestrians do everyday without a phone involved. People are distracted all the time, and run into the back of people who have stopped because it is unexpected, or maybe they weren’t paying attention. We are not vehicles, so there are no fines. Do you really want to start them? If so, then at any point a pedestrian runs into another pedestrian they will be fined (Or is it a double standard only for people texting, and not just people who aren't paying attention?). Or at any point a car hits a pedestrian they will just say “Oh they were texting! So it’s not my fault!” Really? This is the world you want to live in?

This only happens when someone texts, you know!

Lastly, why on earth are people comparing drunk driving and crystal meth addictions to texting and walking. No, its not the safest thing, but you are not risking someone's life, or slowly destroying your body, and spending all your money on a drug. It sort of undermines the seriousness of drunk driving and drug addiction. Texting and walking is an issue, but compared to some of the shit out there that people do because they are idiots, its not that bad. Yes over 1000 people have gone to the hospital because of it, but how many people have gone because they were drunk and crossing a street without looking, or drunk and fell down a flight of stairs? On drugs and overdosed?  Drunk and got alcohol poisoning? Texted while driving and got into an accident? Didn’t follow speed signs? Or my favourite: walked through a glass window thinking it was open? Exactly. Pedestrians just need to be careful. Something that they should do at all times walking anywhere. You never know what dangers are around you. I work in Parkdale for crying out loud, trust me, I am aware of my surroundings.

If you are going to text and walk, just play it safe, and apologize if you run into someone. You know, like you would if you suddenly human U-turned into another person. Say sorry, and move on. If you get hit by a car, or fall down a man hole maybe it will smarten you up. You should always look both ways first. Duh.

Here is a link to the video that was a trigger for my blog today. Here!

-Says Marli