Ban proposed on crossing street while using iPod or cell phone

[mondo joe]

http://www.wnbc.com/news/10948106/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news

A state senator from Brooklyn said on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo.

NewsChannel 4 reported that Sen. Carl Kruger is proposing the ban in response to two recent pedestrian deaths in his district, including a 23-year-old man who was struck and killed last month while listening to his iPod on Avenue T and East 71st Street In Bergen Beach.

"While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they're tuning out the world around them," Kruger said. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street a comparable offense to jaywalking.

[bryant69]

1. Hmmmmm.

I think that driving while messing with a cell-phone is a bigger problem, but what do I know.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Missy M]

5. We are already banned from talking on a cell phone while...

driving unless you use a hands free device. Big fine in New York State if you're caught.

[meegbear]

2. Why ban it?

It's Natural Selection in action. If you can't pay attention while walking into oncoming traffic, then ....

Yes, yes, I know. But it's seems to be vogue these days in my area for kids to just start walking into moving traffic to cross the street, because people will stop or risk hitting them.

[Virginia Dare]

4. I've seen countless people almost run down..

while talking on a cell phone and jay walking, so I think you may be onto to something there...

[RB TexLa]

3. More of the "you are not listening to me, to me, me, me, me!" mentality of

assholes not on cell phones or listening to something. These people seem to be offended that they are not the center of someone, even a stranger's attention.

[mondo joe]

6. As a frequent user of both products, I say if I get hit by a car only because I'm using

one, it's my responsibility, so need for a ban.

[Jacobin]

7. I literally almost ran over a guy this morning walking across the

street talking on a cell phone. I hit the brakes and swerved and he just sort of looked over at me while ambling across the street, still talking.

I don't know what it is about talking on the phone that makes one zone out about their surroundings, but it does.

I don't favor making it illegal. Making everything illegal seems like its a waste of time. Making it illegal won't make it stop.

[twilight_sailing]

9. Years ago I was almost run over by a freight train

while driving. Why? I had the car stereo up so loud I couldn't hear the train.

I agree with you.

Loud car stereos shouldn't be illegal. Neither should crossing the street listening to electronic devices.

Is is stupid? Well, all I can say is that after I was nearly flattened by a train, I modified my behavior.

[ContraBass Black]

14. What will we do about people who don't look before stepping into

The street when they're not on phones? People failing to pay attention and getting hit by cars is not new. The phone is incidental.

[Jacobin]

18. I think phones exacerbate the problem

I know that when I'm on a cell phone, its as if I'm not aware of my surroundings as much as when I'm not. Weird phenomenon. I'm not in favor of making it illegal, though

[Double T]

8. 'WE' don't need legislators that want to pass laws to protect oblivious idiots........

from killing themselves.

[Beelzebud]

10. Don't we have enough laws to limit our freedom already?

When is enough enough?

Don't we have enough regulations on the books already?

[porphyrian]

11. A few people can't multitask, so we punish the entire population?

Who in hell is going to be able to enforce a law like that?

[RB TexLa]

12. And how would they be able to justify allowing the deaf to walk in crosswalks?

[porphyrian]

15. Maybe they should more closely monitor New York drivers, instead.

If the drivers were paying attention, they wouldn't hit people crossing at the crosswalk. Jaywalking is already illegal.

[ContraBass Black]

13. Using?

So, if I have earphones in my ears as I step into a cross walk after waiting for a signal and looking both ways, I would be guilty of a crime?


Symptoms and scapegoats make much more convenient targets than problems.

[meow mix]

16. how about having drivers stop for pedestrians?

many many times ive almost been run over while using no electronic devices.

people in cars seem often seem to think they have the right away before pedestrians.

(due to the fact that they are in a big metal machine which is bigger and more powerful than the person walking. im guessing)

[deepthought42]

17. Yes, asshole in an SUV (big surprise) didn't bother stopping this morning

as I was crossing the street to get to my car. Nevermind it's only 17degrees outside w/a windchill of around 8 or so. I flipped him off, but I don't think he noticed...ASSHOLE! NI! :P

[twilight_sailing]

19. We've been having problems here in New Mexico lately.

Drivers just weren't stopping for pedestrians in the crosswalks.

In one of my rare "Hooray for the Cops" statements, I gotta say, the cops cracked down on that crap. Pedestrians have the right of way. Period.

[DinahMoeHum]

20. Here's the State Senator's website. . .

http://www.nyssenate27.com/

You know what to do.


:evilfrown:

[Auggie]

21. Hey Kruger -- get a life, dumb ass