The iPod zombies are cyclists, pedestrians and motorists who have on portable music devices with headphones or earbuds while attempting to cross streets or drive — in essence becoming oblivious to the rest of the world, said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Christine Delise.
"It’s very dangerous because the headphones block out sound, and you can’t hear if there’s an ambulance behind you trying to get through or horns blowing to alert you to danger," she said.
Pedestrians, runners and bicyclists risk death or injury because the devices often make them inattentive to traffic and road conditions.
The automobile advocacy group pointed to several recent instances: A 14-year-old Baltimore County girl was killed by a train as she crossed the track while wearing her headphones in January; a 23-year-old Pennsylvania woman on a bicycle was killed last summer as she crossed an intersection while wearing headphones in Ocean City; a 51-year-old Washington, D.C., woman was struck and killed March 6 by a tractor-trailer as she crossed against the light while wearing headphones.
With the weather warming, more people will be out for walks, jogs and bike rides, Delise said. That increases the chances for accidents.
AAA urges people to either leave their devices at home or keep the volume down low enough so that they can still hear traffic, particularly at intersections, Delise said.
In Maryland, it is against the law to wear headphones while operating a vehicle, including a bicycle, she said.
Bicyclists and motor scooter operators on a road wearing headphones in both ears face a $50 citation, Delise said. Motorists face a $60 fine and a point on the driver’s license if caught wearing headhones while operating a vehicle. If wearing the headphones is determined to have contributed to a crash, the fine increases to $100 and three points on the license.
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Biking in Baltimore