A new bill proposing a fine for anyone caught texting while crossing the street in New York State has been introduced in the state Legislature, The Independent reported.
Sponsored by Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, the bill suggests a fine of $25 to $50 for those caught holding and looking at a phone while crossing the street, the newspaper reported.
Subsequent offenses within 18 months, the report said, would be subjected to fines of up to $250.
Queens Sen. John Liu said the bill is designed to keep people from being distracted by their phones while drivers are waiting for them to cross the street, The Independent reported.
Speaking to local TV station ABC7, Liu said: ““This is a bill that says don’t text while crossing the street, wait the 10 seconds, to get to the other side.”
The Gothamist reports although he did not have data to back up his claim, Liu said texting and crossing the street is a “growing public health concern.” Liu said the proposed law is “just about common sense.”
Under the proposed legislation, “holding a portable electronic device while taking or transmitting images, playing games, or, for the purpose of present or future communication: Performing a command or request to access a world wide web page, composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting saving or retrieving email, text messages, instant messages, or other electronic data,” would all be banned, the report said.
The bill does make exceptions for people using their phones to communicate with an emergency response operator, a hospital, doctor, fire department or police officer, the newspaper said.
According to ABC7, similar laws have been passed in Hawaii and California.
– WN.com, Jack Durschlag
Photo:
AP / LM Otero
