Kruger Pushes Street Cellphone Ban

Flickr user lornagrl

In 2007, Brooklyn Sen. Carl Kruger proposed a ban on talking on cell phones, texting or listening to music through headphones while crossing the street. And though for three years most people have thought the idea is crazy, he's using the recent tragic case of Jason King as an example. King was hit by a truck on the Upper East Side, and investigators believe he was listening to his iPod while crossing the street. Kruger said, "We have people who are literally dying in the street." However, he has lost some support.

Not only does his argument about King's death not quite hold up (the truck driver had been going in reverse after missing his turn), but another politician has recently dropped a proposal banning pedestrians from wearing headphones in both ears while crossing the street. Arkansas Sen. Jimmy Jeffress said he didn't think the proposal would have passed anyway, but just wanted to bring attention to the issue. Kruger said of the Senator's decision, "I don't know the legislator, but shame on him because in the process that goes forward it's not a question of whether or not you pass a bill. You also file a bill because it may be a cornerstone for others to use."

Many see the law as impractical. Mark Shenefelt wrote, “Clumsy or air-headed pedestrians are a danger mostly to themselves, unlike drivers of speeding autos. It’s laughable that strapped local governments anywhere would see any sanity in having their police officers spend time looking to bust scofflaw gadget pedestrians." Streetsblog also wrote on Twitter, "This 'distracted walker' meme is BS. Data I've seen suggests 75%+ of ped deaths are drivers' faults." Still, Kruger argues, "It's important to press the issue, because it's an issue worthy of the pressure. There is a definite, demonstrated need for this legislation." Just switch "pedestrians" to "bikers" and we're sure you'll get the attention you seek.

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By Jaya Saxena in News on January 26, 2011 4:26 PM

Comments [rss]

Crihs

I ride a bike and I do think it is really annoying and unsafe when people are texting or talking on the phone while crossing the street. I do not mind that they do it while they have the green light (walk sign), but most of them do it when they have the red.

I think a solution to this is enforcing the jay walking law. In the 15 years that I have lived here, I have never seen anyone be a victim of this law.
I think it would resolve a lot of things.

j44ke

Cops are going to love* enforcing this one.

*sarcasm

luke_1

Christ we can't just legislate against any thing that annoys us. Most politicians are beyond stupid. As a cyclist, idiots who walk out into the street without paying attention annoy the hell out of me, but it shouldn't be illegal.

Peanut_Butter

So many instances of stupidity in this country. Are we in fact getting dumber, or is it just the exposure of the internet?

DJBigBenVA

Thinning the herd

eflash

also, walking while deaf and/or blind is incredibly dangerous and should be banned.

Rocknrope

All you people who cheered on legislation about no smoking in public parks and outdoor spaces, this is an example what that kind of shit leads to.

Anijake

The last I checked, if I get hit by a truck while wearing headphones I am the only one injured. You smoking in a public place slowly kills everyone in the room.

Sorry you lose.

Rocknrope

First, there is no "room" if you're smoking outside.

Second, this isn't a question of propriety, it's a question of overlegislation. You really want the government to tell you what you can and can't wear while walking down the street? Good luck with that in your universe.

Anijake

Oh I am totally against this, but smoking, ban it as much as possible. Its disgusting.

dead_himmler

Let's ban everything I think is disgusting.

Anijake

And what about the lady that was just run over by a truck the other day. She was not, as far as I know, not wearing headphones. NY drivers are way out of control.

Eric Luke

Common sense dictates that you need to pay attention while crossing the street. If you can't wrap your head around that, I don't have much hope for your future.

Stacy Rosenstock

Why not just ban crossing the street. Or better yet, ban pedestrians!!!

Peanut_Butter

I'm really torn over this issue. On the one hand, you can't legislate intelligence and/or common sense. On the other hand, these incidents are becoming more prevalent and is crying out for some solution.

coupdefoudre

Education. The police have so, so much better things to do than running around protecting ourselves from ourselves. Launch some sort of subway campaign, warning about the dangers of being an irresponsible pedestrian, and be done with it.

Peanut_Butter

Good idea.

Repaulsive

I get the feeling this is more about shifting responsibility from drivers to pedestrians when there are accidents in crosswalks.

m015094

I'm not sure why this is, but pedestrians in NYC do not LOOK before crossing the road - regardless of whether they have the light or not. I have lived in 6 other cities and NYC is the worst (by an order of magnitude). If you don't believe me, you're more than welcome to join me for a "viewing" at 125th and ACP Blvd at 6 pm - any day.