Using a mobile phone while crossing the street soon to be illegal?

Using a mobile phone while crossing the street soon to be illegal? While I (and I guess rest of IntoMobile team) do support laws that would stop people from using their mobile phones without car kits or headsets while driving, somehow I have hard time understanding the low that would fine pedestrians for using cell phones while crossing the street. To be honest, it can distracting and accidents do happen. But can you imagine a situation where you receive an important phone call, just to tell the person on the other side that you’ll call them back as soon as you cross the street? It sounds ridiculous. You can wait for the next green light to turn on, but that’s not the point.

Anyway, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, Illinois state legislators may pass a bill that would do just that — fine pedestrians for using cell phones while crossing the street.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago), isn’t anywhere close to becoming law, but it’s drawing a host of reactions — from outrage to ridicule to grudging acceptance.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White likes the concept, though he admits it should only be used to punish those who use their phones while jaywalking.

Even mayor Daley, who’s known to oppose laws that see government intruding into people’s lives, did not slam the door on the controversial proposal. He went even further, adding, “People have to understand, a lot of people are getting injured and killed by cars in pedestrian walks. It’s a safety factor. So, like anything else, you have to use common sense if you’re walking across.”

What do you think?

[Via: textually.org]

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.

PineRoot

As a resident of Chicago I am in complete embarrassment yet see the idea behind it. This seems to cross the line a bit though. I understand if this is done in busy streets, as I have seen my share of dumb people almost getting hit, a few got bumped by a car and then had the audacity to complain to the driver to “watch where the f*** you’re driving!” Instead of imposing a fine on the people, why not just put the liability in their hands.
Dan

I don’t know how you can support the ban on using cell phones while driving and still not understand how the same should apply to pedestrians crossing the street. It’s the same thing!
Also, following this logic, we should outlaw eating, drinking, smoking, listening to the radio radio, talking to the passengers while driving.
Forbidding people to talk on their cell phone while driving is absurd.
Jack Burton

I can completely understand this concept. I live in a College town, in which there have been numerous people walk right out infront of a car, not at a cross walk, just in the middle of the street. It’s bad enough that they do this while listening to headphones, but it’s gotten worse lately, and the majority of the incidents comes from people talking on their cell phone or worse yet text messaging, I’ve seen people almost fall off the curb because they weren’t paying attention. Personally, I think it should be an increase in a fine already in exsistance, jay walking is X amount, jay walking while texting or talking on cell phone is a certain amount more.
Raidium

I can see the point in there being a fine but I really think the concept is rather “dumb”. The fault of the accident should be in the mobile handsets user. It should be their liability. But to be fined is abit much. The majority of people these days are ALWAYS on there handsets so there would be just too many fines to issue. If an accident is caused it should be the handsets users liability.

That or if they decide to go with a law then people should start buying bluetooths. I believe they should buy a bluetooth either way because its less distracting then holding up a phone to ur ear. It’s more convenient and safe. I use mine for everything! Even walking around the house.