There is nothing better than sitting in your own little SMS universe, composing perfectly-crafted mini messages key-by-key on your cellphone to your favourite friends . However, as many reports reveal, texting can be hazardous to your health. None of this means that you need to quit your texting habit cold turkey, just take some time to brush up on these SMS safety tips.
Texting while driving
“Texting behind the wheel can be a life and death message,” says Sergeant Timothy Burrows, Toronto Police, Traffic Services. As Burrows notes, a recent study from the Virginia Tech Institute of Transportation associated the increased risk of a crash at 23 times greater when texting behind the wheel. “The road information that you may miss while concentrating on your text could be the death of someone, someone you are responsible for.” The take home message here, don’t text while driving.
Texting while walking
Rick Mercer, of CBC fame, stars in one of the most humourous Canadian skits on YouTube. In the video, the comedian showcases what he calls the Blackberry helmet, a device that promises to protect smart phone users on the go. Although a hardcore helmet might be a little extreme, texting pedestrians are often accident victims. As Burrows says, “the consequences of not paying attention to something as simple as walking could mean walking in front of a moving truck.“
Although this is not a replacement for paying attention when you’re strolling down a busy street, there is an innovative iPhone app called Email ‘n Walk. For 99 cents, you can send messages on your Apple gadget but still see the ground in front of you through the phone’s camera. Leave it to Apple fans to think of something like this.
On the flip side, the iPhone was the subject of a recent text messaging scare when security officials discovered that it would be relatively easy for hackers to take control of the device. Fortunately, Apple issued a fix for the problem this week, a download that is available when users plug their phones into their computers.
Texting while traveling
In Canada, texting can also take its toll on your bank account. Upon returning from a short business trip to Chicago, I received some hefty charges on my Bell Mobility bill. Although I have an unlimited texting plan, the plan does not extend to SMS messages in the United States. In other words, I was charged 60 cents for each text that I sent while south of the border. Many other Canadian carriers charge similar fees. If you plan to take your texting on the road, look into the details of your plan before you leave or consider buying a pay-as-you phone when you arrive at your destination.