by Leslie Pearce
Member since:
February 23, 2012

Texting While Walking? Here's Your $85 Ticket

May 14, 2012 02:00 AM UTC
2 people recommend this | comments: 4

Eyes on the phone screen, not the city street? It's a habit that's likely disappearing in Fort Lee, New Jersey. A ban on so-called "dangerous walkers" has police officers writing $85 jaywalking tickets for pedestrians caught texting while walking.

Ludicrous? Maybe not. Talking to the New York Daily News, police chief Thomas Ripoli cites the 20 cases so far in 2012 involving pedestrians struck by cars -- with three fatalities -- in his case for the crackdown. Researchers at New York's Stony Brook University found texting makes for a 60 percent increase in veering off course. Mix that meandering with city traffic and the consequences could be serious.

Texting while driving is already on its way out across the United States. Laws against texting while walking could be hitting the books outside of New Jersey soon. Is an $85 penalty too steep? Or is it a long overdue deterrent?

Photo source: Flickr

Comments: 4

Vic Damico May 14, 2012, 2:41am UTC
Hi, Leslie...Personally, I think this is going a bit too far. Those people who would walk into traffic while using the phones would probably be just as distracted if a bird flew by...LOL...I don't care what I am doing, I am going to look before I take a step into the street...
Chavonne H. May 19, 2012, 6:07am UTC
At first it sounds crazy but then I remember that video of the lady who was texting in the mall and fell into a water fountain. So, then I'm thinking ya know maybe they have something here. But it can get much more serious than just self injury, a person walking while texting could walk infront of your car and get you and your loved ones injured or killed, so it can be very serious. But on the other hand there are many people who will dart into oncoming traffic just to get to the other side of the street in a hurry and they have no cell phone in hand. So, ya know what can you do.
Chavonne H. May 19, 2012, 6:08am UTC
I think there needs to be stricter penalties for texting while driving before texting while walking. And if texting while walking can get you in trouble, jay walking should as well.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.