Walking

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday, here in the Hudson Valley, was one of those top ten most beautiful days. My wife and I along with another couple, took for the most part, a leisurely stroll on the "Walkway over the Hudson" in Poughkeepsie, NY.  The views, foliage and the river were a sight to behold. The walkway is a refurbished 1.5 mile railroad bridge that was transformed into a pedestrian walkway. Walking is great exercise and an easy and safe to do. Or is it?

In this country, walking is now becoming a dangerous thing to do, with increasingly more accidents occurring each year. How is this possible? It is possible when one lacks common sense. The reason for more pedestrian accidents while walking is due to texting while walking. Yes texting while walking. The majority of these accidents happen in large cities and the incident rates are rising rapidly.

Twenty five years ago in New York City, you could always tell who was a New Yorker and who was a tourist. The New Yorkers were always looking down, so as not to step in any dog pooh and to avoid sidewalk cracks and to watch for the all important curbs and other obstructions. The tourists were always looking up at the architecture of the buildings. Today, the tourists are still looking up, which I don't think will ever change and the New Yorkers are still looking down. But now, the New Yorkers, as well as residents in other big cities, are still looking down, but not for dog pooh etc. They are looking down at their phones so they can text. Texting while walking is becoming a very dangerous activity. While people are texting, they are not watching where they walk and consequently become the victim of their own lack of common sense. I read, see and hear more and more articles about people who are texting and get hit by a car because they didn't see the crosswalk sign that said, don't walk. Or they walk off a curb and hurt their ankle, leg or back. They also walk into sign posts, light poles etc., etc.

All of the accidents could have been avoided if only they had used some common sense. My common sense tells me that obviously if you need to communicate with someone while walking, the old fashion way of using a cell phone to actually talk, (with your voice) is a far better and safer way to do it. Think about it, you don't have to look at the phone while talking, what a novel idea.

I do have to admit, that while on our walk yesterday, I did see a handful of people walking while texting. Even though the surface of the walk was smooth with no cracks and obstructions etc., those people were missing some fabulous views and gorgeous fall colors seemingly painted on the hills and mountains that were so clearly visible. Their loss.

Til next week.

Peter