Figure 1 in this article shows a Telstra advertisement I encountered in a Sydney CBD bus in Feb 2010 appears to contradict public health concerns about driver and pedestrian distraction incurred whilst using a mobile phone for any purpose. Distraction while using mobile information technology devices, including for accessing social networking sites and sending or receiving email, contributes to road traffic1 and pedestrian2 accidents. How does Telstra reconcile its promotion of Facebook use on internet-enabled mobile phones to ‘enjoy traffic jams’ (presumably aimed at public transport users but potentially influencing pedestrians and drivers of private vehicles using public transport incidentally) with the safety risk among standing bus occupants, drivers and pedestrians of using such technology? (Author/publisher)
Abstract