LESSON
Scan for details
READING
GET READY
Susan is reading an article about distracted walking. Do you walk
and use a cell phone to talk or text at the same time?
When you
scan for details
in a reading, you are looking for specific
pieces of information. You move your eyes quickly over the text to
find the details you need.
Reading Skill
Read the Reading Skill. Scan the article. Find and underline:
1.
an example of an accident that happened.
2.
the number of accidents involving mobile electronics that happened in 2011.
3.
an example of an action that cities are taking because of the accidents.
READ
Listen and read the article. What can happen when people
do not pay attention as they walk and use an electronic device?
Fort Lee, New Jersey, can earn an $85 fine.
Other cities have started information
campaigns to warn people of the dangers. On
busy streets in Wilmington, Delaware, there
are signs reminding walkers to “Look up!”
Philadelphia tried a humorous approach.
They painted a fake “e-lane” on a
downtown sidewalk. Signs said the
lane was for “citizens with busy
lives who don’t have time to look
up from their electronic devices.”
Unfortunately, some people
didn’t get the joke. They thought
it was a great idea!
Reactions to the laws are mixed.
“I think these fines are a good idea,
especially if they save lives,” says
Robert Green. “People need to learn to pay
attention.” Julie Adams disagrees: “We need to
rethink these laws. Do we really need the
government to tell us where we can use our
phones? You can’t force people to have
common sense!”
1
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
You’ve probably seen the videos on the
Internet. A woman accidentally walks into a
water fountain while shopping at the mall.
A man strolls right up to a wild bear in his
backyard, not even realizing it’s there. A teen
doesn’t notice an open manhole cover
and falls into a smelly sewer. What
do all of these incidents have in
common? The people were all
texting while walking.
Fortunately, these three didn’t
get hurt. But accidents like these
are becoming more common.
And some result in more than
just a hilarious video.
In the U.S., a pedestrian is struck
and injured by a car every eight
minutes. In 2011, there were over 1,150
accidents involving mobile electronics.
1
That’s
an increase of 400% in the last seven years.
Many of these accidents caused serious injury
and even death.
Many cities are taking action to stop distracted
walking accidents. People who walk and text in
Talk, Text, Crash!
6
40
UNIT 3
