Sol Invictus
01-27-2011, 09:18 PM
New Yorkers would be banned from using their mobile phones or iPods while crossing the road under a new law being considered by local politicians.
26 Jan 2011 | The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8284028/New-Yorkers-to-be-fined-for-using-mobile-phones-when-crossing-roads.html)
Those caught breaking the rule would face a fine of $100 (£63) and a court summons, in an attempt to clear the city's streets of joggers and commuters dangerously preoccupied with their electronic devices.
Carl Kruger, a Democratic state senator, said the new law was necessary to prevent accidents being caused by people locked in the "deceptive serenity" of their phones or music players.
"You can't be fully aware of your surroundings if you're fiddling with a BlackBerry dialling a phone number," Mr Kruger said, "or listening to music on an iPod".
Last month a 21-year-old man, who was listening to music through headphones, was hit and killed by a truck on a Manhattan street corner after failing to hear the vehicle's reverse siren.
The Governors Highway Safety Association says that pedestrian deaths account for 12 per cent of fatalities on US roads, and that numbers increased last year after being in decline for several years.
Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the group, said: "We focus a lot on distracted drivers, but we also need to focus on distracted walkers and joggers".
A plan for a similar law in Arkansas was dropped earlier this week.
Proposals have been made in California, Oregon and Virginia to ban cyclists from using their mobile phones as they ride.
Most states have banned texting while driving, yet unlike in Britain some allow motorists to talk on their mobile phones.
26 Jan 2011 | The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8284028/New-Yorkers-to-be-fined-for-using-mobile-phones-when-crossing-roads.html)
Those caught breaking the rule would face a fine of $100 (£63) and a court summons, in an attempt to clear the city's streets of joggers and commuters dangerously preoccupied with their electronic devices.
Carl Kruger, a Democratic state senator, said the new law was necessary to prevent accidents being caused by people locked in the "deceptive serenity" of their phones or music players.
"You can't be fully aware of your surroundings if you're fiddling with a BlackBerry dialling a phone number," Mr Kruger said, "or listening to music on an iPod".
Last month a 21-year-old man, who was listening to music through headphones, was hit and killed by a truck on a Manhattan street corner after failing to hear the vehicle's reverse siren.
The Governors Highway Safety Association says that pedestrian deaths account for 12 per cent of fatalities on US roads, and that numbers increased last year after being in decline for several years.
Jonathan Adkins, a spokesman for the group, said: "We focus a lot on distracted drivers, but we also need to focus on distracted walkers and joggers".
A plan for a similar law in Arkansas was dropped earlier this week.
Proposals have been made in California, Oregon and Virginia to ban cyclists from using their mobile phones as they ride.
Most states have banned texting while driving, yet unlike in Britain some allow motorists to talk on their mobile phones.