A Night That Almost Went Horribly Wrong

On July 15, 2010, Winnipeg put a ban on the use of cell phones while driving.  As of October 22, 2012, Winnipeg needs to put a ban on pedestrians walking with cell phones.

Last night, as I was leaving the Marianas Trench concert, I almost witnessed the loss of two young lives.  I was sitting in the passenger seat, in the center lane, at a red light at Eastbound Portage and Donald.  When the light had turned green, vehicles going Southbound on Donald had blocked part of the intersection.  The bus in the right-hand lane began to honk his horn.  I figured it was out of annoyance at the blocked intersection.

Then, out of nowhere, two young girls come darting across the street.  The oldest had a cell phone to her left ear and her right hand was holding onto her younger sister.  As they passed in front of my car, a car came driving past us in the left-hand lane.  The two girls just narrowly made it to the median.  I was in shock.  The two girls did not even seem to notice what had almost happened to them.  The oldest was still talking on her cell phone, as they stood on the cement block waiting for the light to change.

Cell phones, as convenient as they are, pose as a distraction to/for everyone, no matter the circumstance.  What started out as a night of fun for those two young girls could have easily ended in a night of devastation for their family.

So please, to everyone out their, drivers and pedestrian, take caution when using your cell phone.  You never know what might happen if you're not paying attention.