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36 'smartphone walkers' hospitalized in Tokyo in 2013

23 Comments

The Tokyo Fire and Disaster Management Agency says that in 2013, 36 individuals were hospitalized due to injuries sustained while using their mobile device and walking.

The issue of “smartphone walkers,” as the Japanese media call them, has been getting a lot of coverage recently. Pedestrians glued to their phone screens are often oblivious of their surroundings causing them to frequently bump into other people, or even to drop their phones from train station platforms.

According to the agency, the 36 accidents involved people who were either walking, or riding their bicycles and using their smartphone at the same time, Fuji TV reported Friday.

In one fatal incident, a 47-year-old man using his phone was hit and killed by a train in Itabashi Ward last October.

Over the past four years, more than 120 “smartphone walkers” have been sent to the hospital after being injured.

© Japan Today

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23 Comments
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We live in an age of smart phones and stupid people.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just want to point out when someone bumps into you, there were two people involved who weren't paying enough attention. If someone's involved in their phone and they bump into you, what were YOU doing? It takes two people to have a collision, especially if you have time to 'prep your shoulder' to bump into them. They're being dumb. You're purposefully assaulting them. Who's wrong here?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

just prep the shoulder, I always enjoy the encounter..stress release

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Even the huge scramble intersection in front of JR Shibuya station is full of people unable to take their eyes off the phone while they cross the street. If the cops were to slap fines on just a fraction of the Tokyoites who tap out text messages while negotiating a crosswalk, they could probably halve the national budget deficit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The Walking Braindead, Dumb Phone-Zombies. This is just the next phase. It's replaced the gamers doing the same thing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's people driving while using them that really annoys me.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Oooh... These people make my bloody teeth itch. I've told friends of mine, and I plan to follow this through.

The next person who flippin' bumps me because they are too busy playing Ninendo DS instead of looking where they are going, well, I'm going to tear the aforementioned console from their hands, place it on the pavement and jump up and down on it until nothing remains but tiny shards of plastic.

You never know, I might even make the news. Even JT?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Last time I was in Tokyo I noticed this was a real problem, what I found amazing was people walking through very busy stations at the peak of rush hour playing games - it's not like they were sending an essential mail or something. Crazy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Darwinism at work.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I don't mind "smartphone walkers" but, YES, I do mind it when they're too concentrated on the conversation to be aware of what is happening around them. Same thing with "smartphone drivers".

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ride along the Tamagawa and you will see plenty of people using their smartphones. Once I was riding slowly towards this woman while she was enthralled with her phone. When I rang the bell she gave me a look as if to say I was in the wrong. People are hooked on these things and act as if their life depended on whatever happening on their phone.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

'smartphone walker' - an oxymoron if I've ever read one.

The phone's a lot smarter than the walker, isn't it?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

'smartphone walker' - an oxymoron if I've ever read one.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It's one thing to have someone fall asleep on you in a train. If they're hot, you usually let it slide. I find using the same logic with smartphone walkers can work to some advantage as well. Getting well and properly 'introduced' to hotness like that does make for a conversation starter and good fodder over pints. It takes two to tango, just sayin'.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Actually StormR, they did pass a law making using a phone and using headphones while riding a bicycle illegal. They introduced that law at the same time as kids under 13 years old have to wear bicycle helmets. Not that anybody would really notice! I've definitely noticed a marked increase in phone-walkers in recent months and they are not just texting. Many of them are playing games or watching TV while walking. A couple of weeks ago I saw a young woman walk straight off the edge of the train platform while playing some stupid join the lines game on her phone.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Serious accidents from walking while using smartphone up over 50 percent in Tokyo

http://en.rocketnews24.com/2014/03/01/serious-accidents-from-walking-while-using-smartphone-up-over-50-percent-in-tokyo/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ah and the ever lovely fools who are too busy on Line, etc...on their so called SMART PHONES, and they are blocking the exit or entrance on the trains, etc....I am always nice to give them a GENTLE NUDGE on the way out or in, if they are in the way and are too stupid to take their EYES off of their phones?? Oops, sorry your phone and face just happened to BUMP into to my attache case!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

When you see these fools coming towards you not paying attention keep your line walk as per normal and drop your shoulder into them just as you meet, that brings them back to reality, and it is also a means of self protection coz these mungs will just plough straight head long into you causing injury if you are not ready.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I'm with Beer4me. I'm tired of being the one to get out of "their" way, with their head down and bulldozing through a crowd as if they were the only one there.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

When someone is heading towards me looking at their smartphone and don't notice me I usually hold my hand strait out until they stop or move out of my way.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

that number is way too low. I see 36 morons on the way to the station, not paying attention

8 ( +11 / -3 )

either walking, or riding their bicycles

Dumb or what ?

Hit one with your car and they charge you not the moron on the phone, they need to pass a law like they did with driving.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

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