Regulating Smart Phone Usage While Walking
Recently, a pedestrian in a car accident
sued the driver and demanded medical expenses, but the pedestrian lost the case
as the court concluded that the accident was due to the pedestrian's
carelessness from looking at his phone. The number of such car accidents owing
to the use of smart phones while crossing roads has been increasing. Also, it
was reported that over 95% of citizens had used smart phones at least once
while they are walking. Some foreign countries such as the U.S or China have
responded to the issue by prohibiting pedestrians from simultaneously walking
and using phones, or running campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers. Some
states in US started regulating smart phone usage while walking in spite of an
opposition from many people.
In this regard, I would like to say we need
specific regulations for smart phone users as well.
First of all, in Korea, accidents
caused by the usage of smart phone when people walk have been dramatically
increased comparing to any other nations in the world. This is a severe
problem, but no one seems notice it. Too many patients are headed to hospitals
because of those accidents, leading to waste medical insurance premiums.
Second, we have to aware that pedestrians
have to keep eyes forward when they cross roads. This is a basic responsibility
as a pedestrian. However, people do not fulfill their duties. To regulate the
usage of smart phone can give them an alert.
Opponents might think this is an invasion of
privacy. This problem goes way far severe and increased than just leave it as an
individual issue. Too much money is wasted, too many people are injured or
killed. We should not let this vicious circle continue. It is time our
government to act.
