A 19-year-old young man was struck by a passing Union Pacific Train on the tracks just south of Leavesley Road last month. The young man was sitting on a railroad tie April 28 at 3:45p.m., listening to music through his headphones. He didn’t hear the approaching freight train coming northbound even though it repeatedly was sounding its horn. The conductor was unable to stop the train, and it hit the young man in the torso.  He was rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

This should be taken as a sign for young people of all ages. They should realize that listening to music at extremely high levels is not a great idea. Many teenagers and young adults listen to their iPod, MP3 players, cassette players, and CD players at loud volumes. Due to the fact that this boy was listening to music through his headphones he was unable to hear the oncoming freight train. If he weren’t wearing headphones he would probably have been able to hear the freight train’s horn, and would have safely moved from the tracks.

Listening through headphones can be dangerous. You shouldn’t wear them when you are running or walking alone. Also, it is illegal to wear headphones while driving or riding a bicycle here in California, as well as many other states. California law 27400 states, “A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears.”  The logic behind this law is that drivers with headphones on may not hear horns or sirens.

Even though it is legal to wear headphones while walking or running, it can be dangerous. Many people have been attacked from behind because they were wearing headphones.  Many people who are walking or running for exercise say they find it ideal to wear headphones because it gives them incentive.

Gilroy resident Jessica Travasso, walking on the levee near Christmas Hill Park, wasn’t about to part with her iPod.
“I like to wear headphones while I run or walk,” Travasso said.  “Because if I am walking or running a long time it is boring, and I like to listen to something to make the run or walk go by faster.”

While many people like to listen to their iPod, I think that it would be a wiser decision not to listen to it while running, walking, bicycling, or driving. If you are not about to part with your iPod, or whatever it may be, at least have one earphone off so you are aware of your surroundings.