6 million hurt in UK while chatting, texting on cell phone

London, March 5 : Chatting and texting on the cell phone accounted for about six million injuries in Britain last year, according to a new survey.

William Ostrom of phone directory service 118118, which conducted the survey 1,055 adults, revealed that many subjects admitted to getting hurt crashing into lampposts, bollards and bins while texting or talking on their mobiles.

The injuries ranged from cuts and bruises to broken noses, cheekbones, and even a fractured skull.

According to the surveyors, 63 per cent of people get immersed in sending SMSes so deeply that they become forgetful about their surroundings.

The surveyors also said that one-forth of the people surveyed would support "mobile lanes" on pavements to highlight the increasing number of hazards, while about 50 per cent would back the use of protective pads around them.

"Britons are clearly text addicts so we need to make sure they are protected on the streets," British tabloid The Mirror quoted Ostrom as saying.

ANI