'You can wait five seconds': in New York they want to fine pedestrians because of phones

According to the bill presented in the New York State Senate, pedestrians who were caught sending text messages using a “portable electronic device” or watching the smartphone screen at pedestrian crossings will be fined.

Фото: Depositphotos

In New York, no one wants to miss a couple of emails or reply to a message in a chat with a delay, so residents do not take their eyes off smartphones even when crossing the street. But soon things can change, and such brave souls will be fined for reckless behavior. He writes about it The Guardian.

In the New York State Senate a bill has been introduced banning the sending of text messages when crossing the roadway. If the bill comes into force, residents of the metropolis can be fined in the amount of $ 25 to $ 250, if they are caught by a policeman.

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There is a category of people who will not be affected by such changes. These include first responders and employees of hospitals, doctor's offices or fire departments.

Фото: Depositphotos

In the state of New York, about 300 pedestrians annually die under the wheels of cars. It is not known how many cases occurred because of sending text messages, but New York State Senator John Liu, who submitted the bill, is determined to significantly reduce this figure.

“The bill doesn’t say you can’t talk on the phone,” Liu said. “We're talking about portable devices... you can wait five seconds to get to the other side of the road.”

The senator immediately appeared opponents.

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“This is a deeply misguided bill,” says Transport Alternatives interim executive director Marco Conner, who is committed to restoring New York's streets for walking, biking and transit. — Hardly any data is provided. The majority of traffic accidents across the country involve drivers.”

Conner fears increased racial discrimination by the police if this law enters into force.

“This is a recipe for subjective and discretionary policy,” he said.

Liu did not agree, but does not expect this to be a top priority for the police.

“There are many pieces of legislation where the potential for selective enforcement exists, and I will be the first to admit that this will not be the first priority of the police, nor should it be. I'm committed to helping New Yorkers remember what they should and shouldn't do, and that they can always wait five seconds!

ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• The state capital of Hawaii became the first major American city to banned pedestrians look at the phone, write messages and use digital devices when crossing the road.
• The police will actually have to watch those who are looking into their devices in order to write down the fine, which will be from $ 15 to $ 35 for the first violation, from $ 35 to $ 75 for the second and from $ 75 to $ 99 for the third. It will still be legal to talk on the phone, crossing the street, or look into your phone on the sidewalk.
• The other day in florida will begin to fine for using the phone while driving. The first violation will be punished with a fine of 30 dollars, and the second with 60 dollars.

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