Coming off the heels of this post where I wrote that states are trying to remind drivers to “drive safe”, I should add that you’re not off the hook if you are a pedestrian, either.
There are videos of oblivious people who walked into walls or into other people when they are distracted. This can get dangerous. Earlier this year, a woman who was walking and texting got seriously injured when she walked and fell into a trap door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xQrj00_lIA
You Can Be Fined in Honolulu
If you are going to be traveling to the city/county of Honolulu, you should be aware that the city had passed a bill (cc-62) that allows officers to fine pedestrians for using electronic devices while crossing the streets.
The bill specifically indicates, “No person shall cross a street or highway while using a mobile electronic devices”. It does provide for an exception clause for “911 emergency communication”.
According to this article, “It will still be legal to talk on phones while crossing a street or to look at phones on the sidewalk.” The fines can get up to $35 for the first offense, $75 for the second and $99 for the third.”
This bill took effect this past Wednesday, October 25.
Pay Attention
I think everyone is guilty of occasionally walking and texting, myself included. Still, I think most people have the reasonable sense to pause and look both ways when crossing the streets.
Frankly, I don’t recall seeing a lot of people crossing sidewalks and texting when I visited Honolulu earlier this year. It will be interesting to see how this bill gets enforced and what the numbers look like.
I see this bill as a “foot in the door” for broader texting laws. As your pictures/videos show, texting on sidewalks is arguable more dangerous (I’m not advocating for more laws).