Digital Deadwalkers

"Dude. Engage!"

The AAOS public service campaign "Digital Deadwalkers" encourages pedestrians to engage in and with their surroundings.
Distracted driving can cause crashes, injuries and death. It's a prevalent public issue that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) continues to champion. But what about distracted walking? What are the consequences of pedestrians talking on the phone, texting, listening to music, engaging deeply in conversation with the person next to them, or focusing on anything or anyone other than the task of getting where they need to go?

Distracted "deadwalkers" are causing an epidemic of fractures and other orthopaedic injuries. Danger lurks at every corner of our cities and towns, but what if pedestrians are the ones posing the threats to themselves and others? Today, more and more pedestrians fall down stairs, trip over curbs or other objects, and in many instances, step into traffic, causing serious injury, and even death, each year.

"We know that the number of injuries to pedestrians using their phones has nearly tripled since 2004, and surveys have shown that 60% of pedestrians are distracted by other activities while walking," said Alan Hilibrand, MD, chair of the AAOS Communications Cabinet. "Orthopaedic surgeons—the medical doctors who specialize in bones, muscles and joints—focus on keeping bones strong so that we can keep our nation in motion. In 2009, AAOS launched the "Decide to Drive" campaign to educate children, teens and adults about the dangers of distracted driving. For 2015, the Academy is now expanding its message to include the dangers of distracted walking."

#DigitalDeadwalker

[johnwoa]

This reminds me of a poem about a Digital Deadwalker from Toronto, Ontario Canada:  "I'll just forget what I don't see, thought smartphone Mary Overlee.  She did not see the truck on Bay and now she's out of sight to stay!".

[shannonsoylag]

Who is the lady at the end? Does anyone know? I see this commercial alot and I can not figure it out or find any info!!! Help

[simpleton]

Ok, this can be annoying, but why is 'dead' invoked? People do all sorts of things when walking around, but that's because they're just going about their business, and you don't require a license for the use of legs. I'm glad the imagery of the ad is not as violent as the slogan, but it looks awfully expensive to push such a stupid message.