Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

New York Just Introduced A New Bill To Make Texting While Walking Illegal

New York Just Introduced A New Bill To Make Texting While Walking Illegal
Richard Levine/Contributor/Getty Images

Though there's been a long-time ban on texting while driving throughout most of the USA, texting while engaging with traffic on-foot may be banned soon as well.


The New York State Senate aims to pass a bill that will ban pedestrians from using any electronic devices, except for emergency cases, while crossing the street. If passed, fines will range from $25 to $250 per offense.

State Senator John Liu presented one version of the bill to the Senate last week, hoping to quickly advance the issue.

When sharing his reasons behind the bill, Liu stated:

"It's hard not to notice the number of people texting while walking, and downright alarming to see people continuing their texting while crossing the street. We want New Yorkers to know it's OK to wait the 5 seconds."

Pedestrian deaths have been on the rise, particularly in instances of walking while distracted. In the Governors Highway Safety Association 2019 report, they estimated that there were approximately 6,227 pedestrian deaths involved in traffic collisions in 2018.

The report listed "the large growth in smartphone use" as a possible reason for the highest count of pedestrian traffic casualties in approximately three decades.

In order to be finalized, the bill must be approved by the transportation committees in the Assembly and the Senate before going to a full vote. Senator Tim Kennedy of the Senate Transport Committee voiced his concerns surrounding the bill, including an "overreach of government" into citizen privacy and social practices.

Whether or not the bill will be passed, Liu discussed the importance of at least presenting bills such as this one.

Liu stated:

"Sometimes even proposing legislation reminds people of common sense things to do and common sense things not to do. If nothing else, the mere introduction of this bill has got people talking and thinking."

Looking to Twitter, clearly the conversation surrounding texting while walking has already started.

Whether followers are for or against the ban, an important conversation is underway nonetheless.





Whether or not the ban is finalized, it's important for smart phone users to remember that it's acceptable to wait the 5 to 10 seconds it takes to walk across a crosswalk before resuming phone use.

A call can always be returned, or a text or email replied to, once the recipient is safely across the street.

And preferably settled in a coffee shop.

GIPHY

More from Trending

Teachers Share The Questions Students Asked In Class That Broke Their Hearts

Being a teacher is a calling.

It is not for the meek or weak of heart.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Emily Compagno
Fox News

Fox Host Slams Dem For Dropping An F-Bomb After Praising Trump For The Same Thing Just Minutes Earlier

Fox News host Emily Compagno was criticized after she praised Donald Trump's use of the "f-bomb" earlier this week before condemning Texas Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett's use of the same word—on the same episode of her show, no less.

Trump made headlines this week after admonishing Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire agreement he'd announced on Truth Social. Although he claimed the ceasefire had been "agreed upon," Iran fired at least six missile barrages at Israel after it was supposed to take effect.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ken Jennings; Emily Croke
@Jeopardy/Instagram

Champ's Wild Final Jeopardy Connection

In a dramatic conclusion on last Monday’s Jeopardy!, a contestant revealed a surprising relationship to the final clue's answer. Hailing from Denver, Emily Croke made it to the final write-in portion of the game show with $12,200 in earnings.

In the category of “Collections,” host Ken Jennings read the clue:

Keep ReadingShow less
State Department logo illustration
Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

State Department Slammed After Requiring Visa Applicants To Make All Social Media Posts Public For Vetting

The State Department is facing harsh criticism after it announced that anyone applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa will need to disclose all social media profiles from the last five years, requiring that all applicants set their posts to public so they can be properly vetted by its agents.

The agency said the new rules are part of a new screening process aimed at identifying individuals who may pose a threat to U.S. national security. According to the department, failure to comply could result in a denial, and consular officers have been instructed to flag signs of “hostility” toward the U.S.—though the criteria for such determinations remain vague.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Tiny Chef Show being canceled
@thetinychefshow/TikTok

Heartbreaking Animated Video Announcing Emmy-Winning Show's Cancellation Has The Internet Sobbing

Whether or not you've heard of the show, Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show has been turning heads. Not only is it a show that children love, but it's an Emmy Award winner.

Despite all of this adorable, pea-sized chef's success, and a Minion-like voice to boot, the show appears to be canceled.

Keep ReadingShow less