Honolulu to ban mobile device use at crosswalks

[Shawn Knight]

Smartphones are no different than any other technological advancement in that they afford a wealth of modern conveniences at the expense of unforeseen consequences. For example, people have become so enthralled with using their phones that they neglect basic tasks… you know, like paying attention to where they are walking.

It may sound trivial but it’s a very real concern.

A recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association found that pedestrian fatalities in the US have shot up more than 22 percent over the past two years.

Some cities have installed traffic lights into sidewalks and crosswalks and even added padding to lamp posts to try and protect pedestrians from themselves but others are taking a firmer approach.

In October, Honolulu, Hawaii’s largest city, will enforce a law making it illegal for people to look at their phone or tablet while crossing the street. According to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, fines for non-compliance will range from $15 to $99 depending on how many times police catch them looking at their mobile device. Those placing calls to emergency services won’t be fined as part of the law, Reuters notes.

The legislation was passed in a 7-2 vote by the city council earlier this month and signed by the mayor late last week.

The legislation will almost certainly cut down on the number of pedestrian-related injuries but of course, not everyone is sold. Some believe the restrictions infringe on personal freedom and are classified as government overreach.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Are rules like these necessary to keep people from injuring themselves or should folks simply exhibit a bit more responsibility and willpower when it comes to using mobile devices in public? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Lead image via Getty Images

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https://www.techspot.com/news/70354-honolulu-ban-mobile-device-use-crosswalks.html

 

[yRaz]

What are my thoughts?

Darwinism

 

[cliffordcooley]

The legislation will almost certainly cut down on the number of pedestrian-related injuries but of course, not everyone is sold. Some believe the restrictions infringe on personal freedom and are classified as government overreach.

It is overreach. Laws should protect people from others, not themselves.

 

[p51d007]

Natural selection...dumb enough to walk out into traffic while NOT PAYING ATTENTION...oh well!

 

[learninmypc]

Natural selection...dumb enough to walk out into traffic while NOT PAYING ATTENTION...oh well!

Well said

 

[Per Hansson]

Darwinism sure, but I feel sorry for the damaged cars and mental health of those in the cars (unless the driver was texting too).
Unfortunately this was not a sarcastic message.

 

[Godel]

Natural selection...dumb enough to walk out into traffic while NOT PAYING ATTENTION...oh well!

It's not about protecting them, it's about protecting the public FROM them and the damage and the costs their injuries will ultimately cause.

 

[Uncle Al]

Might be easier to outfit all the buses and commercial vehicles with the old "cow catchers" that used to adorn the Steam Engines of the last two centuries ......

 

[Dyson Parkes]

The legislation will almost certainly cut down on the number of pedestrian-related injuries but of course, not everyone is sold. Some believe the restrictions infringe on personal freedom and are classified as government overreach.

It is overreach. Laws should protect people from others, not themselves.

I would say they are protecting others. I don't want to have to live with having killed someone with my motor vehicle because of their choices.
Look up how traumatising it is for a train driver when someone jumps in front of their train. I would hate to be in that position because some ***** didn't think.

 

[AQUATARKUS]

In Sydney its ridiculous, every other person nearly walks into you.
Can someone please invent the matrix for these zombies.

 

[thelatestmodel]

I don't like this at all. It's an overreaching, punitive approach to something that should be fixed with education. It will be difficult to enforce and a poor allocation of law enforcement resources. It's all very tragic but at the end of the day people should know how to cross the street properly.

 

[erickmendes]

The legislation will almost certainly cut down on the number of pedestrian-related injuries but of course, not everyone is sold. Some believe the restrictions infringe on personal freedom and are classified as government overreach.

It is overreach. Laws should protect people from others, not themselves.

You still can try to steer your car from a pedestrian not paying attetion to the street (because of the phone) and crash your car and die... So this can protect you too.

 

[Slappy McPhee]

I don't like this at all. It's an overreaching, punitive approach to something that should be fixed with education. It will be difficult to enforce and a poor allocation of law enforcement resources. It's all very tragic but at the end of the day people should know how to cross the street properly.

I was recently in the city. The foreigners like the Japanese are the worst to be honest. They are 150% oblivious to anything and anyone else. I doubt that they will have "watchers" to nail people. It is more of a safety net I would think. If something does happen and there were witnesses or if someone reports it and there were witnesses then action will be taken. Secondly, I feel that this is more of a protection for drivers rather than pedestrians especially public transportation drivers. We were there for 2 weeks and man, oh man, the amount of times knuckleheads were texting, photo taking, etc while crossing was insane. This was exponentially more prevalent on Waikiki Beach by the hotels and shopping.