LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
Technology is keeping texting, social
media, news, and video games right at our fingertips
"Everything we do we want to do
it instantly and take care of it right then and there," said Delphina
Maxie, ER Director, Woodland Heights Medical Center.
Whether you're walking through a mall
or on campus, you're bound to have a run-in with a distracted walker.
"We get a text we answer the text
without regard toward what we're doing and I don't think we realize that we're
distracted by it," said Maxie.
The Associated Press reports
distracted walking is a growing problem.
In the last seven years ER visits for
distraction accidents have more-than quadrupled. But most injuries go
un-reported.
"Texting and walking is quite
dangerous especially when you're looking down and not paying attention to your
feet and where steps are," said Tiffany Oliver, Angelina College Student.
Angelina College students say accidents don't
just happen on campus or in a parking lot.
"Even if you do it in your house
and you know where everything is, if one thing is out of place and you're
texting you're going to slip and fall," said Jesika Morgan, Angelina
College Student.
"I had a forehead injury when I
was texting and walking and ran into the door I was looking down and as soon as
I looked up I ran right into the door because I thought it was open but it
wasn't," said Marvin Carpenter, Journey's, Lufkin Mall.
Area hospitals tell us they haven't
seen any major injuries from distracted walking.
For now, all they can do is encourage
East Texans to be aware of the risk.
"We just need to make a habit of saying we're
not going to text when we're driving, we're not going to text when we're
walking and stay focused so we can be safe and the people around us can be
safe," said Maxie.
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