Beware iZombies!

Pedestrians distracted by the latest technological devices and unaware of their surroundings could be the cause of up to 17 road accidents per day in the UK, according to a new study by the AA. By highlighting this ‘iPod oblivion’ the AA has told cyclists and pedestrians to be much more aware of their surroundings, especially when crossing roads hinting that the devices can lead to ‘unintentional blindness’ as walkers devote their attention to their iPods, mp3 players and smartphones.

Looking through insurance records the AA has discovered a 5% rise in accidents caused by inattentive pedestrians, with it’s own customers being involved in 177 accidents in the last year, projecting that this could add up to more than 6,000 similar accidents across the country.

“We can’t stop the march of technology but we need to halt the iPod pedestrian, cycle and driver zombies,” said AA president Edmund King.

“When on the move, our brains have much to take in and using technological gadgets means that our brains can’t always concentrate on so many things at once.

“This is when we walk into traffic, don’t hear the truck, or drive cocooned from the outside world.”

Not only are pedestrians facing distraction from our ever-growing mass of technogadgets, motorists are also falling into the trap of blocking off themselves from the outside by using their mp3 players as they drive, potentially leaving them open to a fine and points on their license.

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