Imagine watching a young girl bobbing her head to music that only she can listen to, as she makes a run across a busy road.
![Listening to earphones while crossing roads is one of the most dangerous things to do.]( "Listening to earphones while crossing roads is one of the most dangerous things to do.")
Unfortunately, she doesn't make it to the other side. For many youngsters, listening to music as a way to keep occupied seems to be more important than road safety.
But given the risk involved in doing so, a little caution could go a long way.
"On my way home from college, I had to walk home a considerable distance from the bus stop. To make my journey shorter, I'd take a shortcut that involved
crossing a railway track.
Being a huge music buff, I kept my earphones plugged in. Unfortunately, that is a dangerous proposition," notes Kirsten Raymond, a technology consultant.
He goes on to recall a past experience that almost cost him his life — "It was just
another day and the monotonous travel meant I was in a hurry to get home. I was so engrossed in my music that I never noticed a train heading my way. Luckily, I had a habit of stepping on the tracks as I crossed them, and as I did, I felt a very strong
vibration. My heart stopped because I instantly knew what a huge mistake I had just made. I didn't even bother to look and just jumped backwards. The train must have missed me by a couple of seconds," he recollects.
There are more than enough reports on the web to show that this avoidable tragedy happens often enough.
On the other hand, the problem is not only restricted to pedestrians. There are also those behind the wheel, who do the same while driving or riding around the City.
"I used to ride on my bike with my earphones on — until I met with my first accident two years ago, which taught me a lesson. Music makes for good company during long rides and when you're stuck in traffic. But it's not worth that risk for you or others on the road," says S Kaushik, a student.
For safe and sensible drivers who don't have earphones on, pedestrians who do use them on the road are a constant problem.
"Whether they are listening to music or talking to someone, pedestrians with earphones on are clearly not paying attention to the road or the vehicles coming their way. The concept of using zebra crossings does not even exist for them. No amount of honking will make these people focus on the road they are trying to cross. Is it really that difficult for them to just put the call on hold until they reach the other side of the road?" questions Anusha Rao, a young professional.
"These pedestrians blame the motorist for honking incessantly — but God save the motorist if he hits a someone who comes out of nowhere, with earphones on!" she adds. Since there's no law against this yet, it's only awareness that can act as the silver lining for the time being. It's better to be safe than sorry on the City's merciless roads.
Unfortunately, she doesn't make it to the other side. For many youngsters, listening to music as a way to keep occupied seems to be more important than road safety. But given the risk involved in doing so, a little caution could go a long way.
"On my way home from college, I had to walk home a considerable distance from the bus stop. To make my journey shorter, I'd take a shortcut that involved
crossing a railway track.
Being a huge music buff, I kept my earphones plugged in. Unfortunately, that is a dangerous proposition," notes Kirsten Raymond, a technology consultant.
He goes on to recall a past experience that almost cost him his life — "It was just
another day and the monotonous travel meant I was in a hurry to get home. I was so engrossed in my music that I never noticed a train heading my way. Luckily, I had a habit of stepping on the tracks as I crossed them, and as I did, I felt a very strong
vibration. My heart stopped because I instantly knew what a huge mistake I had just made. I didn't even bother to look and just jumped backwards. The train must have missed me by a couple of seconds," he recollects.
There are more than enough reports on the web to show that this avoidable tragedy happens often enough.
On the other hand, the problem is not only restricted to pedestrians. There are also those behind the wheel, who do the same while driving or riding around the City.
"I used to ride on my bike with my earphones on — until I met with my first accident two years ago, which taught me a lesson. Music makes for good company during long rides and when you're stuck in traffic. But it's not worth that risk for you or others on the road," says S Kaushik, a student.
For safe and sensible drivers who don't have earphones on, pedestrians who do use them on the road are a constant problem.
"Whether they are listening to music or talking to someone, pedestrians with earphones on are clearly not paying attention to the road or the vehicles coming their way. The concept of using zebra crossings does not even exist for them. No amount of honking will make these people focus on the road they are trying to cross. Is it really that difficult for them to just put the call on hold until they reach the other side of the road?" questions Anusha Rao, a young professional.
"These pedestrians blame the motorist for honking incessantly — but God save the motorist if he hits a someone who comes out of nowhere, with earphones on!" she adds. Since there's no law against this yet, it's only awareness that can act as the silver lining for the time being. It's better to be safe than sorry on the City's merciless roads.