THE WRATH OF THE PATH

Safety Message Presentation

for nonprofit organization

July 2019

The Wrath of the Path

For many we enjoy a break in our day.

Venture out from our desk and just get away.

                                               

Thinking exercise we head to the path.

But are we prepared to endure its wrath?

There is a sign that warns us of harm.

But do we read? Do we heed the alarm?

Instead walking and texting appear to be key.

The dangers ahead we do not see.

We’re out on a walk, nothing to lose.

‘Til we slip, trip or fall and gain us a bruise.

Please hear my candor.

Do not aimlessly meander.

Jiving to the music’s beat

Could get you broken feet.

With friends you can talk.

Just watch where you walk.

If the conversation distracts her,

She may get a fracture.

What is the moral of this poem you ask?

Take care when walking, avoid the wrath of the path.

The Wrath of the Path is my fun little way of introducing the topic of distracted walking. Distracted walking is not just on the path, but on the stairs, the sidewalk, in parking lots and busy intersections. It is a fairly new phenomenon and has recently been added to the lexicon of such organizations as the National Safety Council and the Governors Highway Safety Administration. As of 2015 both agencies now record statistics for distracted walking incidents and the concept has even coined a new term – pedextrian. A pedextrian is, you guessed it, a pedestrian who texts while walking.

Pedestrian deaths are on the rise, up 4% from 2017 and based on 6 months of reporting they anticipate another 4% increase in 2018.  And it is at least partly attributable to pedextrianism. Governors Highway Safety Administration spokesperson Maureen Vogel told National Public Radio, “Scores of pedestrians crossing the busy intersections, one thing many have in common is that their eyes are down, staring at their phones.”

A recent study in Seattle showed that 1/3 of all pedestrians approaching intersections were either talking or texting on their phone or listening to music. We have become a society of distracted walkers.

Deaths up 4% and 1/3 of all walkers – you do the math.

Don’t walk while distracted and avoid the wrath of the path.