CBS News
What is the fear of crossing bridges, and how can it be overcome?
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — For some people, going over large bridges brings a sense of fear.
Technically, it’s called gephyrophobia, the abnormal, persistent fear of crossing bridges.
Mix that with acrophobia — the fear of heights — and crossing big bridges can be a terrifying experience.
For people who are fearful, the Delaware River and Bay Authority has a special escort program. You call ahead and meet on the side of the road before crossing the bridge. Then the escorts talk to drivers and try to ease their fears as they cross the bridge.
“It’s always better to keep the conversation going and that distracts them from their fear,” Sgt. Steve Burkhead with the Delaware River Authority said.
“I usually tell people to just focus on the road,” Burkhead said. “It’s the same road in front of you as you get out back on the highway once you cross the bridge. So just focus on the road and you’ll be OK.”
Burkhead said people have all kinds of explanations for their fears, and while most people are fine, the officers never know who they’re dealing with.
“It’s a little dangerous, but we do it, you know,” he said. “Just because we don’t know what we’re walking into, you know, we’re definitely cautious of that, and we kind of have to read the body language a little bit to make sure.”
The team is expecting to get more requests for escorts after the bridge collapse in Baltimore.
What is gephyrophobia?
Gephyrophobia is the abnormal, persistent fear of crossing bridges.
A specific phobia is an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no danger, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Phobias may stem from bad experiences, genetics, learned behaviors, or brain function and structure, according to the Mayo Clinic. If a phobia is affecting your daily life, talk with a doctor or health care provider about getting help. For most people, therapy can help, the Mayo Clinic says.
What is acrophobia?
The fear of heights is called acrophobia. It is a type of anxiety disorder, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Being nervous and cautious is normal, but acrophobia can entail a more intense fear related to ladders, balconies, bridges and other things. Acrophobia is one of the most common phobias, affecting 3% to 6% of people.
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CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
