Tharoor Tumbles On Stairs While On Phone: Neurologist Warns ‘Brain Can’t Multitask Walk + Talk’ — Can You Be Fined?

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor suffered a fall in Delhi on Wednesday, February 4. The Thiruvanthapuram MP was talking on his mobile phone when he tripped and fell. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP Imran Masood helped Tharoor get back on his feet. In a post on X, Tharoor’s office revealed that he had suffered a fracture and would continue with parliamentary work and other engagements.

The video of Tharoor’s fall prompted a lot of concern on social media. Dr Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Hyderabad’s Apollo Hospitals, said he was glad to know that the parliamentarian was well. Kumar cited the incident as an example of how the human brain is “terrible at ‘walking + phone’ multitasking”, especially when one is moving downstairs. A split-second shift in attention while going down the stairs can impact balance, depth perception and foot placement.

Why Is Talking On The Phone While Walking Dangerous? Talking on the phone while walking somewhere is a habit that almost all of us have. However, few people consider the risks it poses. Chances of accidents increase due to one’s attention being divided between walking and using the phone. Not just that, multi-tasking in this manner reduces speed, alters gait and increases the possibility of trips, collisions or falls.

What Are The Key Risks Associated With This Behaviour?
The major risks include impaired balance and speed as phone conversations reduce stride length and walking velocity, making it tougher to navigate obstacles or react to hazards such as traffic. It also leads to higher injury rates. Studies indicate that talking causes more injuries (69 per cent) than texting (9 per cent), especially among 16-25-year-olds. Distracted walkers often move away from paths, bump into others, or fail to spot threats, leading to accidents.

What Health Concerns Arise From Prolonged Phone Use While Moving?
Prolonged phone usage while walking can lead to eye strain and headaches due to poor posture. It can also result in potentially higher radiation emission as the devices seek signals. This may raise the risk of cancer and brain tumours, though evidence is inconclusive.

How Can One Prevent These Risks?
To lower these risks, one should avoid using phones in high-traffic areas such as crosswalks. People must stop walking to take calls or use the hands-free option if they wish to talk to someone urgently. Awareness campaigns and phone locks during motion may help reduce instances of accidents.

What Are The Specific Dangers Of Phone Use While Walking In India?
The crowded streets, heavy traffic and widespread smartphone use in India have amplified the dangers of phone use while walking. Experts say that about 30-40 per cent of road accidents occur due to people being distracted by their mobiles while walking or driving.

What Do Accident Statistics Reveal?
In cities like Lucknow, about 30-40 per cent of road accident cases involve mobile phone use while walking. Studies reveal that 5-45 per cent of pedestrians are distracted by phones at crossings, depending on urban location.

What Are The Local Risks?
Distractions can lead to people tripping over uneven surfaces, colliding with vehicles or walking into traffic. This is common among two-wheeler drivers and pedestrians, resulting in accidents from momentary lapses in attention.

What Advice Can Help Prevent These Incidents?
Public campaigns about incidents tied to scrolling habits can help increase awareness. People can use hands-free devices or pause movement to talk. Avoiding mobile usage in traffic-heavy areas like Mumbai streets can help prevent incidents.

What Is The Current Legal Stance In India On Phone Use While Walking?
There is no nationwide law in India that specifically bans phone use (talking or texting) while walking. A private member’s bill in 2019 proposed fines up to Rs 5,000 for first offences and Rs 10,000 for repeat instances, but it was never enacted. This has led to a lack of legal incentives for people when it comes to lowering scrolling time while walking or driving.

What Are The Existing Regulations And Enforcement Practices?
Campaigns by traffic police focus on awareness rather than penalties. As of now, using phones while driving is prohibited under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Those who violate the rules may be fined Rs 1,000-Rs 5,000 for first offences and up to Rs 10,000 plus jail time, if found engaging in repeat violations. The rule applies to vehicles, and not pedestrians. However, police in cities like Kolkata urge avoiding phone usage while walking to prevent accidents. Some states see extreme distracted walking as negligent behaviour under general public safety laws if it leads to harm. However, no dedicated pedestrian penalties exist.