Honolulu is banning the use of cellphones and other electronic devices in crosswalks in a new law which goes into effect starting October 25.
The “distracted pedestrian law” is needed according to KTLA.com since “so many people are hit by vehicles in crosswalks“.
The new law will be for electronics like cell phones, video games, laptops and pagers. (I’d love to know just how many people are using laptops and video games in crosswalks? And, does anybody really have pagers these days?!)
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said “Sometimes I wish there were laws we did not have to pass, that perhaps common sense would prevail, “but sometimes we lack common sense.”
The fines for breaking the law will start low and go up the more frequently you are caught not following it.
- First Offense: $15-$35
- Second Offense: $35-$5
- Third Offense: $75-99
FYI- It’s still legal in Honolulu to talk on your phone while crossing the street.
The Governors Highway Safety Association reported that “fatalities increased 11% from the first six months of 2015 to the same period in 2016.” One possible reason for the increase was “distraction due to growing use of smartphone technology.”
I’m not sure about how I’d feel about this law going into effect in NYC but I do see the potential safety benefits of the law as well as less people bumping into each other for not paying attention!
Find out more from KTLA.com here.
TRC- Possibly true but don’t you think some people will think twice before playing on their phones while crossing the street if it means possibly getting a fine?
Stupid. If local government really thinks cell phone use in cross walks is a big problem, enact some presumption of comparative negligence when a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, but don’t enact slap-on-the-wrist fines. This law will do nothing more than add a little revenue to the Honolulu city coffers.