New York proposes bill to make it illegal to text while crossing the road

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Crossing the street here can be challenging any time, and you might be even less likely to notice that honking cab or zooming bicyclist if you're looking at your phone.

Now, it could become illegal to do so.
A bill in the New York State Senate seeks to ban pedestrians from using portable electronic devices while crossing the road. Fines would range from $25 to $250.
The statewide ban would include texting, checking emails, and browsing the internet, with exceptions for emergencies.

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"It's hard not to notice the number of people texting while walking, and downright alarming to see people continuing their texting while crossing the street," Liu told CNN. "We want New Yorkers to know it's OK to wait the 5 seconds."

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A 2019 report by the Governors Highway Safety Association estimated that 6,227 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2018, the most in almost three decades.
The report cited "the large growth in smartphone use" as a possible reason.

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