Thousands of New Jersey residents routinely use their electronic devices to text, listen to music or do other tasks while walking outdoors. But if a recently proposed measure becomes law, it would be banned and could even lead to jail time.
Experts say that distracted walking is a growing problem worldwide as people of all ages become more dependent on electronic devices for personal and professional purposes. They also note that pedestrian deaths have increased in recent years. Eleven percent of all deaths in 2005 involved pedestrians, but that number rose to 15 percent in 2014.
The increase in deaths coincides with the introduction of bills targeting pedestrians and/or cyclists. For example, a bill pending in Hawaii would impose a $250 fine if a pedestrian crosses the street while looking at an electronic device. In recent years, similar bills have failed in states including Arkansas, Illinois, Nevada and New York.
The measure, recently introduced by Pamela Lampitt, would prohibit texting while walking and the use of electronic communication devices, unless they are hands-free. Violators face fines of up to $50, 15 days in jail, or both.
Half of the fine will go toward safety education about the dangers of texting while walking. Some see the proposal as unnecessary, while others say they understand Lampitt's reasoning.
“Inattentive pedestrians, like drivers, pose a potential danger to themselves and others on the road,” Lampitt said. “A person crossing the street while their attention is on their smartphone poses a danger to drivers and should be subject to a fine.”
The main question about the measure, however, is whether it can be consistently implemented by police officers, who usually have more pressing issues to deal with. Schumacher is among those who believe that, rather than enforcing a new law, the state should focus on raising awareness about the risk.
A study found that the majority of injuries were female and most were 40 years old or younger. Talking on the phone was the most common activity at the time of injury, while texting accounted for 12%. Nearly 80% of injuries occurred as a result of falling, while 9% occurred on a stationary object on the sidewalk.
