Commentary Assesment

Summary: Many youngsters do not look to the left or right when walking along or crossing the street; instead, they are glued to their cellphones or absorbed in the music from their earphones. However, safety experts warn that plugging into music increases the risk of accidents as it distracts your attention. Besides, a study found that sending messages while driving reduced reaction time by 35 per cent. A test showed that pedestrians listening to music or sending text messages were mostly incapable of detecting the presence of other road users, but most of them did not think it dangerous. Such an indifferent attitude seems to be reflected in the statistics.

Commentary: Ever had somebody bump into you while walking on a crowded street, causing you to turn behind angrily and give him an irritated glare, only to realize that he is glued to his cellphone as he walks along, completely unaware of what he has done? Well, you are not alone. In my opinion, pedestrians should not be sending text messages or listening to music as they navigate the streets. While it certainly is tempting to have some form of entertainment while walking, it distracts you from looking out for danger on the roads.

A large majority of youngsters lead an active lifestyle, and hence it is not uncommon for them to multi-task, for example sending text messages while walking. Besides the above-mentioned, another common habit is listening to music while walking. These youngsters aim to provide themselves with some form of entertainment wherever they are, and this is certainly understandable – after all, it is unlikely that you would be fascinated by the sight of passers-by or vehicles. Furthermore, they profess that listening to music helps them to keep awake and maintain concentration. But how true is this, really?

Whether you are plugging into music or sending a text message, it is undeniable that your attention will likely be distracted. Not many people are able to keep their eyes on their cellphones and the road at the same time. According to studies, distraction from handheld devices is one of the major causes of road accidents. The RAC Foundation, a British non-profit organization, found that sending messages and driving simultaneously reduced reaction time by 35 per cent. It does not take a genius to know that 1 second more or 1 second less can be the deciding factor of your fate. The longer the time it takes for you to react, the more serious the consequences will be. Besides, bear in mind that the so-called ‘victim’ will not be the only one suffering; the offender will most likely be wracked with guilt for causing harm to someone.

Some youngsters seem to take even more of an indifferent attitude towards this issue. One polytechnic student was of the view that listening to music while walking was not dangerous, and that it’s the driver’s responsibility to look out for him if he is in front.

To conclude, pedestrians should not be sending text messages or plugging into music while walking along the streets. After all, nobody likes it when he or she is bumped into. We should not be doing to others what we would not like others to do to us.