Ban Proposed On Walking While Talking, Listening To iPod

WNBC.com ^ | February 6, 2007 | WNBC.com

[seanmerc]

A state senator from Brooklyn said on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo.

NewsChannel 4 reported that Sen. Carl Kruger is proposing the ban in response to two recent pedestrian deaths in his district, including a 23-year-old man who was struck and killed last month while listening to his iPod on Avenue T and East 71st Street In Bergen Beach.

"While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they're tuning out the world around them," Kruger said. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street a comparable offense to jaywalking.

Some pedestrians said they were not worried about their safety while using their electronic devices while walking.

"I look for the light," said Venus Montes of Williamsburg.

"I'm still looking," said Lance Gordon of Far Rockaway. "It's not like I'm not paying attention."

Others said the proposed ban would not work.

"I don't think anyone's going to be up for this," said Patricia Lewis of Staten Island. "I don't think anyone wants this."

Other pedestrians said they thought the proposal was a good idea.

"It's too dangerous," said Nicole Lake of Jersey City. "Drivers don't pay attention and pedestrians don't pay attention."

[seanmerc]

Whatever happened to personal responsibility? I am sorry about the pedestrians who were killed, but I don't think their deaths should be used to have the nanny state make it illegal to cross the street while listening to an iPod.

[100-Fold_Return]

Yeah, but their dying is taking money out of algore's pocket as those folks won't be buying off of Itunes.

[ladtx]

How 'bout walking and chewing gum, I think that's pretty dangerous.

[1rudeboy]

This legislation would unfairly favor the deaf and blind. /s

[massgopguy]

Next up, Deaf and Blind people must stay indoors.

[HEY4QDEMS]

"Public Service" is a euphemism for "Public Control"

[Puppage]

Sen. Carl Kruger

Yep....democRAT

[milford421]

NY officials should get this incensed about illegal immigrants...they don't. $100 fine for this.

[theDentist]

Another a**hole with power looking for a headline....

[leilani]

I actually thought this was a spoof. Had to check it out - it IS for real, lol!

Why don't they just get it over with & appoint government minders to follow us around all day to keep us "safe" (i.e., in line).

Thanks, seanmerc, for providing more evidence to confirm my suspicion that most politicians are basically overgrown hall monitors.

[wideawake]

I don't remember any legislation being suggested back when everyone was walking around with a Sony casette Walkman or personal CD players or walked around the streets playing Gameboys.

I don't see why an iPod is any more distracting than any of those.

[Leo Farnsworth]

Just let's all stay home and vote democRAT.

[Long Island Pete]

I thought this was the USA not the USSR

[Shady]

Welcome to New York State!

[seanmerc]

iPods cause global warming, right? :-)

[kinoxi]

When asked to comment the Senator replied "I can't do it so why should they be able to..."

[The Great RJ]

I think idiocy should be a felony in New York and the state capital in Albany turned into a maximum security prison for legislators. Washington DC could be a penal colony.

[xcamel]

Attack of the "Nannycrats" of NY

[Izzy Dunne]

that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street

Yikes. Turn off your radio before crossing the street.
(Does that apply to police, as well?)