Operation Lifesaver wants drivers and pedestrians to "Look, Listen, & Live"

In my work raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, I've heard from a number of drivers complaining about pedestrians who are texting, listening to mp3 players, or talking on cell phones while walking.

And, it's not just cars and trucks that pedestrians are ignoring. As in the video above, oblivious to the dangers around them, pedestrians distracted by cell phone calls and text messages also risk deadly encounters with the transit buses and commuter trains around them.

So, as DOT works to make more transportation options available, we want to make sure pedestrians stay focused and keep their eyes and minds open. That's why the Federal Transit Administration is supporting a new pedestrian safety campaign.

Produced by rail safety advocates Operation Lifesaver with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, the new campaign uses bus shelter posters and on-board video public service announcements to remind commuters to  “Stay Focused! Stay Alive!”

This campaign is in addition to the strong campaign, supported by the Federal Railroad Administration, that Operation Lifesaver is waging against distracted driving. That campaign began last month with this audio PSA:

Click here to listen to Operation Lifesaver's radio PSA

According to Sally Tingle, Texas Operation Lifesaver state coordinator:

“We want to remind drivers and pedestrians to avoid electronic distractions, especially near train tracks. Whether you are on foot or driving a vehicle, distraction can be deadly, and trains can’t stop quickly because of their size and weight.”

 

Look, communication is very important to me. And you know from my online activity that I appreciate the internet, whether it's mobile or at my desk.  But when I'm driving, I just drive. And when I'm riding my bicycle, I just ride. And when I'm walking, I just walk.

I'm not saying it's easy to turn these devices off. People love listening to music or podcasts on their mp3 players. They want to stay in touch with their friends, their families, their colleagues and clients by texting and talking on their cell phones. They want to keep up-to-date on the latest scores and news.

But these habits get drivers and pedestrians killed. And Operation Lifesaver wants to do something about that. So, as the nice weather has more of us out of doors and walking, let's do as they suggest:

Stay focused! Stay alive!

Courtesy ABC News

Comments

[Urbanwilderness]

I totally agree that 'distracted walking' is a hazard - I see it daily here in Chicago.

But the dude in the first photo is about to get jacked in a crosswalk! He ought to be paying better attention, but the minivan is prohibited from entering the crosswalk until it is clear - the ped isn't the only one distracted.

This is an important initiative, but as part of a comprehensive program to make streets and sidewalks (and crosswalks) safer for all users, and appropriately Sec. LaHood seems to be actively targeting distracted driving as well.

[Paul Young]

I, for one, am amazed at how often I see people, with or without a cell phone, step out to cross a street without looking both ways. I see bicycle riders on busy streets not occasionally looking behind them. If they would they could make sure the vehicles passing are far enough away from the curb. Without looking behind them occasionally they are not prepared to take evasive action if needed. It seems too that bicycle mirrors are a thing of the past.

It is real simple folks! Be aware of where you are and your surroundings. If you are going to multi-task make awareness one of those tasks. Keep the sound of your MP3 players at a level where you can hear the traffic around you. We don't live in nice safe cocoons. There are others in the world even more distracted than we sometimes are and even a suit of armor would not help us if struck by a vehicle. Especially if struck by a train!

[ranadiya]

I agree with your statment that "pedestrians stay focused and keep their eyes and minds open" because many times pedestrians while crossing road there mind is somewhere else though they know vehicles are coming but they corss road in there own way which causes accident.As per my obeservation today maximum pedestrians while on road or anywhere always talking on cell phones, i think this habit should be avoided.

[Michael E. Bailey]

It is important to attack distraction at all levels in the transportation process, including walking and jogging. Pedestrians with boomboxes and ipods turned up can easily miss vehicle sounds as well as the sound of approaching trains. And some of the same pedestrians who are involved in distracted walking also think that walking on the railroad track is a good shortcut to get from point to point. Reading this article reminds me again of the incident at the Kern County sandstone minig operation where a mine manager with a cell phone got between the trailers of a parked gravel truck to let a truck pass coming in the opposite direction. The parked truck then started up the person was knocked down and had one of the second trailer's front wheels roll over him. He was found dead under the second trailer with his cell phone. If he had not been distracted, he might have realized that the best thing to do when the first truck was coming down the road was to simply get out of the road and not walk between the trailers of a parked truck (a blind spot) and stand there. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Wendy Peichel]

Texting and driving is dangerous, we are launching Anti- Texting software.
For more information or to get involved, please contact me
Options Media
561-544-2651

http://ir.stockpr.com/optionsmedia/news/detail/333/options-media-group-signs-definitive-agreement-to-enter-mobile-and-smart-phone-application-market

[Nofonzone]

A January 2010 Nielsen study of the phone bills of 40,000 US teenagers found that teenagers send text messages an average of 10 times per hour while they are awake -- exceeding 3100 text message per month. Many teenagers text and drive, which has been proven the world over to be a deadly combination. I applaud all efforts and products to curb this tendency and create behavior that increases safety for drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. our nofonzone.com website is also committed to providing a solution to this issue. Email info@nofonzone.com for more information or visit www.nofonzone.com and find the Key@SafeDriving.

[money]

The best thing one should use to avoid such risk is by implementing hands free device and also there should be some rules that fines people those who doesn't have hands free during driving this will going to stop lots of problem.

The problem is also very critical because it's the question of safety not only for the person itself but also for the others which may get into accident due to their deeds.