• 한국안전학회지
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.74-82
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• 2017

This study was conducted to test the impacts of distractions caused by smartphones on pedestrians whilst walking alongside or across vehicular traffic in a high-density urban zone in South Korea. Through this study, we propose objective evidence for a link between the risk of traffic accidents and distractions from smartphones for pedestrians because of less likely notice activities surrounding road along their walking. This means that smartphones usage may cause inattentional blindness even during a simple activity that should require few cognitive resources. We conducted an experiment comparing pedestrian behavioral patterns of walking with smartphone distractions (such as listening to music with earphones or sending text messages) and normal walking without any distractions. In the experiment, participants walked along a pedestrian path prescribed by researchers and were observed at 8 points which were as follows: two observation points through which participants were instructed to listen to music whilst walking, two points where participants were instructed to send text messages, and four points through which participants were instructed not to use a smartphone at all. According to pedestrian behavior analysis, there is a trend for attention to be distributed amongst whatever other activities pedestrians are doing whilst walking. Therefore, this study proposes that pedestrians walking with such distractions are at a higher risk of traffic accidents compared to those who walk without such distractions. Thus, we advise for the South Korean government to consider ways to traffic policy that will enhance traffic safety for pedestrians.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2024

Purpose: Various forms of distraction can have different effects on food intake. Distraction can draw attention away from the food being consumed and inhibit monitoring of food intake This study examined the effects of different levels of distraction on eating behaviors. Methods: The study was conducted using a repeated-measures design. The participants (10 males, 13 females) were served test meals (curry rice, 800 g) with the same volume at lunch for 4 weeks. The eating behaviors were analyzed during 4 distraction sessions: first session (without distraction), second session (audio distraction, radio), third session (audiovisual distraction, television), and fourth session (audiovisual distraction and hand-use, smartphone). The satiety ratings were measured using a 100 mm visual analog scale. Results: The participants consumed more food during the fourth session than during other sessions. In addition, the mealtime duration in the fourth session was longer than that in the other sessions (audiovisual distraction and hand-use, 13.74 minutes vs. without distraction, 10.36 minutes; audio distraction, 8.31 minutes; and audiovisual distraction, 9.61 minutes; p < 0.05). As the satiety ratings obtained before and after consumption of the test meals in each distraction session, participants felt significantly more satiated 30 minutes after consuming the test meal in the first session than they did in the other distraction sessions (without distraction, 84.23 mm vs. audio distraction, 76.07 mm; audiovisual distraction, 68.93 mm; and audiovisual distraction and hand-use, 74.70 mm; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Different levels of distraction can have different effects on eating behaviors and when distractions become diverse and selectable, food intake may be affected by distraction.