[Forwarding from another discussion list. Context:
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:49:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [EVDL] Digital Deadwalkers : $52M/yr alert-sound adds noise
pollution& not-a-solution
[ref
http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/52M-yr-Quiet-Electrified-cars-alert-sound-rules-by-2019-09-tp4684467p4684478.html
]
TT sez >It is the pedestrian blinded by electronics technology that we
need to concern ourselves with!<
AAOS calls these Digital Deadwalkers:
[video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrcY7iSxFU ]
Digital Deadwalkers
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Jan 12, 2015
"Dude. Engage!"
The AAOS public service campaign "Digital Deadwalkers" encourages
pedestrians to engage in and with their surroundings.Distracted driving
can cause crashes, injuries and death. It's a prevalent public issue
that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) continues to
champion. But what about distracted walking? What are the consequences
of pedestrians talking on the phone, texting, listening to music,
engaging deeply in conversation with the person next to them, or
focusing on anything or anyone other than the task of getting where they
need to go?
Distracted "deadwalkers" are causing an epidemic of fractures and other
orthopaedic injuries. Danger lurks at every corner of our cities and
towns, but what if pedestrians are the ones posing the threats to
themselves and others? Today, more and more pedestrians fall down
stairs, trip over curbs or other objects, and in many instances, step
into traffic, causing serious injury, and even death, each year.
"We know that the number of injuries to pedestrians using their phones
has nearly tripled since 2004, and surveys have shown that 60% of
pedestrians are distracted by other activities while walking," said Alan
Hilibrand, MD, chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. "Orthopaedic
surgeons?the medical doctors who specialize in bones, muscles and
joints?focus on keeping bones strong so that we can keep our nation in
motion. In 2009, AAOS launched the "Decide to Drive" campaign to educate
children, teens and adults about the dangers of distracted driving. For
2015, the Academy is now expanding its
message to include the dangers of distracted walking."
http://www.orthoinfo.org/DistractedPedestrians
In my life and in my area (Silicon Valley, CA) there are far more
distracted people (that are not physically blind) that do incredibly
dumb things as they have disconnected themselves from the real world
(its like the mobile devices are a tech-drug of a distracted lifestyle)
To some, this is now common. For others, this seems unbelievable. And it
isn't just teens
https://www.google.com/search?q=teen+mobile&hs=zbP&biw=1024&bih=642&source=lnms&tbm=isch
Children to Tweens (age 6 - 12) are also affected:
https://www.google.com/search?q=tween+mobile&hs=zbP&biw=1024&bih=642&source=lnms&tbm=isch
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/children-teen-teenager-teen_culture-smartphone-cellphone-mbcn4046_low.jpg
http://lowres.jantoo.com/young-people-parenting-teens-gadget-distraction-parent-33235139_low.jpg
There is a whole new way to pacify your kid by throwing a cheap mobile
tech device at them (see links below).
Children and tweens that (if they survive) will grow up to be distracted
adults:
http://image.cagle.com/71027/1155/71027.png?349a92
My point in posting this is that the Million$ being spent are not going
to resolve what the advocates for the blind say is the issue (they are
pushing hard on a door marked pull).
The quiet from electrified vehicles made noisy will not resolve the
tech-addicted brain-distracted children, tweens, teens and adults that
will do dumb disconnected things (like walk without looking> right in
front of a moving vehicle).
Loud or quiet, there are a whole lot more chances to hit the distracted
walking than a blind person carrying a white cane.
I am not saying something should not be done to help the blind. But
throwing $52M at it in this way which does not totally resolve the
problem is not a fix.
IMO I think there has to be other ways to alert the blind of coming
moving vehicles. Possibly on an individual blind person point of
approach. Perhaps their white cane would have beeping tech that would
alert the blind of approaching vehicles, etc.
Links [dated]
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/walking-while-texting-could-soon-result-in-jail-time/
Walking while texting could get you arrested, if a NJ law is passed
March 28, 2016
...
http://www.safebee.com/travel/distracted-walking-your-phone-and-intersections-dont-mix
Distracted Walking: Your Phone and Intersections Don't Mix
January 14, 2016 "Digital deadwalkers" are tripping and falling down stairs
...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2344933/Pedestrian-mobile-phone-injuries-DOUBLE-years.html
The dangers of walking and talking: Pedestrian mobile phone injuries
DOUBLE in five years 20 June 2013 Around 1,500 pedestrians injured
while using a mobile were treated in 2010 Patients include a boy, 14,
who fell 8ft off a bridge while talking on a phone Researchers warn
figures will continue to rise as mobile use increases and could double
again by 2015
...
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/06/study-distracted-walking-causes-more-injuries-than-distracted-driving/277032/
Study: 'Distracted Walking' Causes More Injuries Than Distracted Driving
JUN 20, 2013 Even when they're not texting, just talking on the phone
puts pedestrians at risk.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2901261/Worrying-rise-iPad-childminder-parents-admit-using-tablets-children-quiet.html
Worrying rise of the iPad childminder: more and more parents admit using
tablets to keep their children quiet 7 January 2015 The royals have
admitted Prince George knows what to do with an iPad They are by no
means the only family in the country giving out technology at a young
age In a time where iPaddy has become a popular phrase, more and more
children are being given the Apple products
...
http://www.jonburras.com/pdfs/The-Cell-Phone-A-Modern-Day-Pacifier.pdf
The Cell Phone: A Modern Day "Pacifier"
Oct 11, 2013 The "pacifier" has done its trick once again to calm the
anxious child. This simple ... These new modern day "binkies" are called
"Cell Phones." ...
...
http://www.techlicious.com/blog/mobile-devices-the-new-pacifier/
Mobile Devices: The New Pacifier?
October 03, 2012 ... parents today are distracting their children from
boisterous behavior? They give them a smartphone or tablet ...
[The 'save the blind from silent cars' meme is not new. I remember
writing a proposal to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB) for a device which could be worn as a hat or headband. Using
Polaroid camera technology (multiple sensors with on-board
intelligence), it could detect obstacles in the path and around (360
degrees in X-Y plane, determine relative speed to the wearer, and using
a combination of sound pitch (frequency) and pulses (modulation) could
alert the wearer to objects heading toward them from any direction (even
above) and give a sense of object size and relative speed. They were
not interested. This would provide warnings not just about quiet cars,
but also joggers, bicycles, dogs, and stationary objects. This was so
long ago I remember I wrote the proposal on a CP/M computer.]
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