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It’s happened again – yet another funny story of someone who got into trouble walking while texting. Earlier this week a man in Glendale, California who was texting while walking almost ran into a bear in an alley. The man turned and ran away, luckily the bear didn’t follow (running away from a bear is NOT recommended).
Note: Those who wish to follow the bear on Twitter, check out @TheGlendaleBear.
Here’s the video showing how it happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WmhvdtX72eQ#!
No bears or people were harmed in the making of this video.
Last month, a woman walked off a pier because she was walking while texting. Another walking texter suffered a bruised ego when she fell into a fountain in a shopping mall while texting and mall security released the video on YouTube. The video went viral and she sued the shopping mall (if she hadn’t sued, people might never have known who she was, but I digress).
Walking while texting is not recommended. A study conducted at Northwestern University showed that walking while texting increases a child’s chances of being hit by a car by 40%. Another study by Stony Brook University showed that people had a 60% deviation from their intended course if they walked while texting.
No matter how much you want to text and walk, each is best done individually.
Let’s say that you really need to walk and text at the same time. How can you make sure you don’t:
a) walk into a fountain
b) fall off a pier or
c) run into a bear?
WalkNText is an app that will help you multi-task safely. The app uses the smartphone’s camera so you can see what’s ahead of you as you type. The keyboard is transparent and superimposed on the screen so you can see ahead of you while you’re typing.
The app works not just for sending texts. If you feel the need to send an email or post on Facebook or Twitter while walking, the app will help you with that as well. After you type your so-important-they-just-can’t-wait thoughts, press the Send key and you will be given a choice of sending it out via SMS (text), Facebook, Twitter or email.
Walk N Text is available for $0.99 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in the iTunes App Store and for $1.99 for Android phones at Google Play (formerly the Android Market).
Instead of buying the Walk N Text app, you could use your money to buy this t-shirt, warning others of the dangers of walking and texting:
Bottom Line
Don’t walk and text. But if you absolutely have to, make sure you do it as safely as possible by using an app such as WalkNText.
Do you walk and text? Have you ever had a mishap while walking and texting? Have you ever run into a bear while texting? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Too funny! I don’t even own a cellphone and don’t know how to text unless someone’s sitting next to me helping me! But I do repeatedly walk into things! Makes me laugh so hard!
Hi Betsy, Well, I don’t think that the WalkNText app would necessarily be a good one for you, lol! It won’t prevent you from walking into things when you aren’t texting. I will have to see if there is some tech that can help you with that. Or maybe you don’t wan’t to take away the fun? 😉
Sounds interesting Carolyn!
I think WalkNText is the answer for my kids 🙂
I really never send messages etc while walking, but kids nowadays and some elders do have this bad habit and I really fail to imagine how can they concentrate on walking where they are and text alongside! No wonder they run into poles and bears. 🙂
I am going across to this app and checking it out right away, because I know no matter how much I tell my kids, they’re not going to listen, so this might just be the answer for them. 🙂
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Harleena, You’re right, kids are especially vulnerable to getting into trouble if they text and walk at the same time. I hope this app works well for them! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
I saw a car on a dual carriageway on Sunday doing just 40 MPH and thought it was one of those idiots that thinks they can do that in the outside lane with impunity. This went on a for some time and then a car passed me at 60 or 70 and nearly went into the back of him. The car managed to get past with a dangerous manoeuvre passing him on the inside. I decided to pass him when we reached a roundabout and looked over as I went past him; he was using a cell phone. He was oblivious to the fact he was nearly in a car crash! It isn’t that uncommon either. I never even answer my phone when I’m driving.
I did some research into traffic calming in the UK and serious injuries to children halved between the year 2000 and 2010 thanks to a government directive and millions spent on traffic calming. Then I checked the previous 10 years, they halved then too and the 10 years from 1980 to 1990; could it be because cars have power brakes? Nah, must be traffic calming, humps,traffic lights and roundabouts!
Hi Mike, You’re right, driving with a cell phone is even worse. But many people don’t realize the dangers of texting while walking because they figure they can handle both tasks simultaneously. The examples shown in the article demonstrate that it’s not safe to walk and text (even if you’re nowhere near a bear).
I so miss roundabouts! Could you send some over here, please? :-h
I love the Walk and Text app for Android, it has a transparent screen mode that works across all apps!
Hi John, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m so glad you like the app. It’s always helpful to hear from readers who enjoy the apps I cover. Just be careful when you walk and text, okay? 🙂
You know I’m not a texter but this just goes to show you as well that driving or walking while texting is just down right dangerous. I know that’s why Oprah when on such a spree last year to get people to sign on the dotted line that they would not text and drive.
People get killed that way and walking while doing that sounds like just as many people are getting hurt too. You are right Carolyn, kids will do this as well and aren’t these the ones we care the most about!
I think this app is good for those who are going to do it anyway and don’t care about the consequences. So at least they are coming out with something that will help somewhat.
Running into a bear is NOT a good idea. Dang!
Hi Adrienne, You’re absolutely right, driving while texting is deadly. I should do a separate article just on that topic. But people aren’t aware that walking while texting is dangerous too! It’s best not to walk and text, but if you have to, then use an app that will help you see where you’re going. 🙂
Hey Carolyn,
That is a must app for the ios users;. and do u know there is affiliate marketing in istore apps as well??
Hi Suresh, I’m glad you like the app. Yes, there is an affiliate marketing program with iTunes. Here is the link: http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/. I don’t participate in it so I can’t share any personal experiences with it.
Cute vid; I don’t think I do much walking and texting.
I do have a voxer app that some of my friends have, so of course we have to be juvenile with it.
Glad to see you back; hope all is well.
Hi Bill, Yes, it’s good to be back!
Nothing wrong with having fun with tech! Studies have shown having fun is one of the main uses for tech. 😉
Hi Carolyn,
I agree that one of the main uses of tech is to have fun 🙂
Even if the WalkNTxt app is cool, still, it is not cool to walk while texting. I’ve seen my fair share of people getting into silly situations (like stumbling, bumping onto other people, dropping things, etc) because they are so focused in texting or replying to someone on their cellphone.
Hi Sylvia, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, many people think of tech as useful, and it is, but tech also can be fun. In fact, I think that’s what makes great tech – useful and fun!
You’re right, not only can you avoid injury, but you can also avoid embarrassment by using this app. It’s pretty bad to nearly run into a bear, but it’s even more embarrassing to have the video of your encounter go viral!
I can’t imagine, though, if you use WalkNText, how you would react if you saw a bear on your screen. It’s a nerve-wracking experience whether or not you’re using this app! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment, Sylvia!
Carolyn,
Ok…guilty! But not like the video or the stories you mentioned.I have been known to text and walk but I’m pretty good about knowing my surroundings. And I don’t do it that much.
I’ve heard of some very funny instances where people have walked into doors and poles or stepped off the curb. We laugh but it’s painful…maybe more in the ego.
Thanks for the fun post. It’s good to see you in our group.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
Hi Ken, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I’m glad someone admitted to walking while texting! Yes, these stories are funny because no one got hurt, but you can definitely see the potential for injury, especially with the bear.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Ken!
That’s funny. But, I’m always walking and texting so I can relate to things like that happening. I walk very slowly, and I do pay attention to what’s happening around me, so I believe I’m fairly safe 🙂
But, the app sounds like an awesome idea. I’ll download it and try it.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Jens, Yes, I’m sure you’re very careful. But do me a favor and download WalkNText and use it when you’re walking and texting. I don’t want to worry about you falling into a fjord! 🙂
I will 🙂
Today I walked and downloaded an app at the same time, while crossing the street with cars all over the place… I have to confess that I didn’t pay much attention to the traffic 🙂
Jens!!!! [-X
great post once again i really enjoyed reading it, I had a little chuckle but the app really sounds good and i am pretty sure a lot of people are going to get it for there walks. Thanks for the share.
Hi Andrew, Glad you liked the post! I’m also glad that you don’t feel the need to walk and text at the same time. But if you know of others who do, please share this app and keep them safe.
Have a great weekend, Andrew! 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Great post. I really enjoyed it.
I am trying very hard not to call people names, but if you walk anywhere not being able to see where you are heading, that’s really stupid thing to do. Would you walk even a few yeards in a public place with your eyes covered?
Can you imagine that some crazy people do text while driving! Very scary, indeed! Thanks for help people see that they can use technology alternative to help them 🙂
Have a great week end!
Hi Sylviane, Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I think people overestimate their ability to multi-task and get into trouble when they walk and text at the same time. Because walking is so much slower than driving and requires much less concentration, people think they’re safe doing both things simultaneously. People also rely upon their peripheral vision, but they become so mentally focused on their phones that they don’t realize their surroundings are perilous.
I have seen videos showing test drivers who were on a closed course and were supposed to drive when they were texting. Their driving was worse than a drunk driver’s. But WalkNText is not meant to enable people to text and drive. Texting and driving is a bad idea no matter what.
Talk about building a better mousetrap! Don’t text and walk… BUT…
This cracks me up. I can’t say I’m not guilty. Most of the time for me it’s taking a note because I know that if I don’t write it down immediately it will go out of my head and be gone. Seems like technology is creating a vicious cycle for us – we respond to the immediacy of it, which reduces our attention span/short term memory, which increases our need for immediacy.
Have you seen the demo of the Google glasses yet? Now those things scare me! As if texting and walking was not problematic enough now we can navigate the entire world with little bubbles and icons popping up in our field of vision! They will hopefully stay prototypes for a while.
Of course, now I have to go buy this app 🙂
Hi Carol Lynn, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Yes, I could have just written this as a warning not to walk and text, but since people are going to do it anyway, I may as well help them be safer by letting them know about WalkNText.
You’re absolutely right, there is a vicious cycle in text. The immediacy of the messages, conveys a sense of obligation to respond immediately.
Yes, I plan to write and article about Google glasses. I wonder if they will have any safety features to warn users of impending dangers (such as an approaching bear, lol!).
The video is hilarious…i can imagine the poor guy’s surprise seeing the bear.
The app looks cool and helpful for a lot of such people who are into texting every minute of the day. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Praveen, You’re right, there are plenty of people who seem to text all the time. They can’t seem to ignore the phone long enough to cross a street without texting. It’s good that people have an app so if they can’t put down the phone, they at least won’t hurt themselves by ignoring their surroundings. 🙂
Carolyn, I want to re-itterate what Mike Maynard mentioned about driving and using a mobile phone sorry cell phone! Here in the UK I see drivers even now it is against the law still using phones and driving! But what is it about the US and ppl suing? Seriously that woman suing the shopping mall is unbelievable! Over here you’d just laugh at the suggestion! No, keep the phone as a single task activity! That’s my advice! Text don’t walk!
Hi Zoe, Yes, in most states here in the US driving while talking on a cell phone is illegal (with exceptions for hands free calls). But I still see people driving while talking on the cell phone. They’re usually easy to spot because they are driving erratically. Our oldest daughter has her learner’s permit and we’re teaching her to drive. She is seeing first-hand how talking on a cell phone and driving do not mix well.
I believe the woman sued the shopping mall for releasing the video, not because the fountain was dangerous, lol. But she was anonymous before she sued because you couldn’t see her face in the video. The lawsuit let the world know who she was.
As an American and a lawyer, I supposed I should answer your question about suing in the US. On the one hand, Americans’ thirst for lawsuits seems out of control. Overly generous damage awards have made some people view lawsuits as the equivalent of playing the lottery. But then I visit countries where plaintiffs’ lawyers aren’t as aggressive and I see businesses with very unsafe conditions. At that point I wish those countries had a more litigious population to make for a safer environment.
Recommended or not, if I run into a bear on my day to day excursions then I’m bolting as fast as my legs can carry me. I’ve never believed that ‘stand still’ nonsense, sounds like a rumour spread by lazy bears to me.
Anyhow; as I teacher I can say that schools today are doing their bit to solve the texting whilst walking problem. Phones are banned in the classroom, so students are learning to text whilst their phone is in their pocket, removing the need to thake their eyes off of the street.
Hi Stefan, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I have to agree with you, my instincts would be to run and run fast, even though that’s the exact wrong thing to do. Love your lazy bears hypothesis, makes perfect sense to me! :-bd
Yes, my kids’ schools ban cell phones during the school day. I can’t imagine the chaos that would result from kids trying to text in the hallways while they were trying to get to their net class. That would be ugly, even with the WalkNText app! 🙂
Carolyn, aloha. The man running into the bear was great. Do you suppose he learned anything from the experience? For his sake, I hope he is a reader of your blog or one of his friends is so that he can learn about WalkNText. He needs it.
While I have not heard of anyone else running into a bear, I have heard of more than one incident that would have been avoided with WalkNText so I can certainly see the need for it.
Welcome back, Carolyn. Hope you enjoyed a wonderful vacation. Aloha. Janet
Hi Janet, Thank you, yes I did have a wonderful vacation, but it’s also great to be back in reality.
I think many people need WalkNText, but I’m hoping the guy in the video learned his lesson from walking into the bear. Perhaps he needs to just stop walking and texting all together instead of using the app? 🙂
I will surely check this application sounds pretty interesting and its reasonable to buy, I rarely text while walking or driving only when it is very interesting or urgent but simultaneously I keep a watch on my surroundings, thanks for sharing this useful blog,
Hi Dixia, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Please don’t text while driving, it just isn’t safe and I want all Wonder of Tech readers to be safe. If you can’t help but walk and text, at least this app will help keep you safer.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave your wonderful comment, Dixia! 🙂