Reply With QuoteUh...This definitely won't pass. Too many people have an ipod or cell. Or maybe it will but won't be enforced; sorta like the law against walking between subway trains.
NY may ban iPods/cell phones while crossing street
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070207/...ewyork_ipod_dcNew York may ban iPods while crossing street
Wed Feb 7, 11:53 AM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New Yorkers who blithely cross the street listening to an iPod or talking on a cell phone could soon face a $100 fine.
New York State Sen. Carl Kruger says three pedestrians in his Brooklyn district have been killed since September upon stepping into traffic while distracted by an electronic device. In one case bystanders screamed "watch out" to no avail.
Kruger says he will introduce legislation on Wednesday to ban the use of gadgets such as Blackberry devices and video games while crossing the street.
"Government has an obligation to protect its citizenry," Kruger said in a telephone interview from Albany, the state capital. "This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."
Tech-consuming New Yorkers trudge to work on sidewalks and subways like an army of drones, appearing to talk to themselves on wireless devices or swaying to seemingly silent tunes.
"I'm not trying to intrude on that," Kruger said. "But what's happening is when they're tuning into their iPod or Blackberry or cell phone or video game, they're walking into speeding buses and moving automobiles. It's becoming a nationwide problem."
My opinions on this: I honestly think this idea is retarded. First of all, what about all of us who ride the subway with our iPods in to avoid having the bums talk to us, and then we get off the subway with our iPod still in our ear and onto the streets... Are we as NYers supposed to take the iPod earphones out of our ear at every street corner we cross at and then place them back in, and repeat that step at every single street corner?! Not only that, but additionally, they state that this applies to cell phones. So at every street corner, hypothetically, we would have to hang up and/or then call back once you cross the street?!.... I'm sorry, I just don't see this law passing. Not to mention it's not our faults for the unattentive NYers who don't pay attention with their electronic devices they utilize on a daily basis and fail to watch their surroundings. However, you shouldn't punish the lives of other NYers who utilize these electronic devices daily.
What are all of your opinions on this issue?
Uh...This definitely won't pass. Too many people have an ipod or cell. Or maybe it will but won't be enforced; sorta like the law against walking between subway trains.
That's what I was thinking... This law won't pass. Kind of like the jaywalking in the city.
As much as I'd occasionally like to kick some folks who are in their own little world when using ipods / cellphones / etc. this law -- if passed -- would be a ridiculous waste of resources.
Doesn't stand a chance of getting through the city council.
I sure hope this doesn't pass. It seems like some of these politicians see a problem (a few people getting hit by cars) and automatically think the solution is a new law.
Definitely won't pass. I do see the dangers of people not paying attention though. Good that it gets some press though as maybe it will get people to pay more attention when they are crossing the street.
That's ILLEGAL?Originally Posted by undertoes
Sign me,
Hirsute Subway Scufflaw
So let me get this strait... A long time ago when people were getting run over at intersections because they crossed while reading would have been enough reason to pass a LAW forbidding reading while crossing?
This guy is looking for an issue to argue, and this one is just plain stupid.
The person who brought up this stupid idea needs to be...(deleted). Let freedom ring, dammit!!
Until there is 100% enforcement (and a measurable surge in ticketing) for use of cellphones in cars and iPods too for that matter, they ought to leave pedestrians alone. Driver's need licenses to drive. Pedestrians don't need licenses to walk. Let those who must be licensed bear the burden of knowing and respecting the law. Anyone getting hit by a car while crossing at an interesction (with or against the light) can point to a lazy, daydreaming driver who is not alert to his surroundings.
Go ahead. Flame me.
If they ban iPods and cellphones, then they need to ban tourists with maps. I can't tell you how many times I have crashed or nearly crashed into them when they stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk to check their map.
Folks no longer read?
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks