"Driving While Distracted: Why can't we ignore the pings?"

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/03/health/distracted-driving-addiction-b...

Source: cnn.com. Article by Meridith Edwards 8-3-16

Sharing this feature on distracted driving because I feel the value of this article begins to explains the reasons for the addictive nature of using our smartphones. I would have to agree with many of the theories and reasons put forth in this piece.

Agreed: Smartphone pleasure - similar to eating, drinking and sex.

Distracted Smartphone driving definitely has an impact on our cycling community.

Here's a short segment from the article.

"Our smartphones are affecting our brains without us even being aware of it. When we hear the ping of an incoming text, social media update or email, our brains get a hit of dopamine, a chemical that leads to an increase in arousal, energizing the reward circuitry in our brains. And that expectation of a reward leads to a higher burst of dopamine than the reward itself. This reward circuitry is as old as time and if we didn't have it, we probably wouldn't exist as a species." According to professor David Greenfield.

My opinion: Our current society must understand the risks associated with smartphone usage and adapt their behaviors to safely coexist with all users of our transportation means in the future.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by SkokieSurly on August 4, 2016 at 8:03am

Is it my perception or is the use of smart phones worse this summer than in past years.   Some days it is stunning.   Drivers, pedestrians and increasingly cyclists on smart phones.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on August 4, 2016 at 8:29am

Well, new this year is Pokemon Go. Maybe that has something to do with it?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 4, 2016 at 10:53am

I think Pokemon Go has everything to do with it. I'm seeing a big increase in distracted behavior since it came out - a different kind of glazed zombie-like behavior.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on August 4, 2016 at 10:58am
Yes, agreed, a big + 1! Thanx Anne ! . . .
Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on August 4, 2016 at 8:03pm

Another big +1.  It's like people would rather do anything at all rather than actually use their minds.  Pathetic and hazardous.  

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 5, 2016 at 10:49am
Permalink Reply by Filka Bean on August 5, 2016 at 4:55pm
Yes! That's great...

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