If one New York State senator has his way, the next time you are strolling down Broadway, you won’t only have to look both ways before you cross the street, but you’ll have to pull the headphones from your ears as well.
While you’re at it, you’ll need to turn off your PSP, hang up your cell phone and shut down all electronic devices, should Democratic Sen. Carl Kruger’s proposal go through.
This proposed New York legislation has no business becoming a law. Pedestrians have the responsibility to protect themselves. The state does not need to pass legislation to ensure this.
And most people who are listening to music or talking on a cell phone while walking take extra caution, so to criminalize these actions would be ridiculous.
Especially in cities, where many people rely on travel by foot, the only time they have to make some phone calls is while trekking it down the sidewalk. And they are being more responsible by walking and talking rather than driving and talking, as it’s illegal to chat on your cell phone while behind the wheel in New York.
And the Empire State has a hard enough time enforcing the driving law, so policing walkers using electronics while crossing streets will be even more difficult. Jaywalking is illegal, but how often do pedestrians get ticketed for violating this rule?
Cops also shouldn’t have to waste time stopping pedestrians who aren’t focused on walking, either. There are too many other problems that authorities have to worry about.
Kruger’s motivation for proposing the ban is understandable, however. Tragedy struck his district when cars hit and killed kids wearing iPod earbuds. The legislation demonstrates his determination to keep people in New York safe.
But where are the hard facts proving portable music players and other electronics lead to pedestrian deaths?
If Kruger is worried about his constituents’ welfare while walking with expensive technological tools, he should consider banning users from displaying their electronics in public areas. People who own these gadgets are at an increased risk of being mugged by thieves who are looking for distracted passersby.
Admittedly, such a proposal would be outlandish, but so is Kruger’s. Almost everyone learns how to carefully cross the street at a young age. No one needs legislation telling them how to do this.