Attention when cycling: the cell phone at the wheel is so dangerous!

Attention when cycling: the cell phone at the wheel is so dangerous!

Erlangen, Deutschland - once again typical evening in the Erlangen region: the air is pleasant, people flock outdoors after work. But an careless minute can do a lot of damage. This happened on June 16, when a 28-year-old cyclist from Uttenreuth suffered a severe fall while driving with his cell phone in his hand. The incident occurred at 7.40 p.m. at a cemetery in the Erlangen room, while the man with his pedelec wanted to go from the gravel parking lot onto a gravel forest path, such as nn.de reported.

The driver obviously concentrated more on his cell phone than on the street. He overlooked a transverse wooden beam that served to barricher. The fall was violent: he got stuck on the bar with his right foot, which led to a deep and painful wound on the foot. The emergency services brought him to a clinic for further treatment.

risks of smartphone use in traffic

This episode throws a light on a serious topic: distraction in road traffic, especially through smartphones. According to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), cyclists are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. A violation can be punished with a fine of 55 euros, which not only represents a financial burden, but also massively endanger security in traffic. In the event of accidents caused by mobile phone use, even threatens to prison terms from the traffic law Situation, as they are summarized on Test.de.

An investigation on behalf of the Federal Institute for Road Systems (BAST) on the subject of smartphone use in traffic confirmed that 3.6 % of cyclists actively use their smartphone, which often leads to dangerous situation. Younger people under the age of 25 in particular are often busy with their cell phones, which has a negative impact on their attention. The safety of pedestrians and other road users is also at risk through this distraction, as the study shows, which was carried out by the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, among others, as reported. So there is a need for action to reduce the risks through distractions. The focus should be on the particularly affected road users. With regard to smartphone use in everyday life, it is important to point out that simple behavior changes, such as regularly checking the cell phone, can only lead to improvement in traffic safety before descending.

Overall, the incident on June 16 shows once again how important it is not to be distracted in road traffic. A quick look at the cell phone can quickly lead to serious consequences.