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Chicago 2 ban text walking?
I'm pretty good at only using the speaker on my Blackberry when I talk into it while driving and sometimes walking. I also have a headset that gets good use. So, I'm fairly safe when it comes to talking on the thing.
Texting and/or replying to messages is different. While I do my best to not message and walk, and I really don't text and drive (although I'm sure I have a few times), I wonder if it's harmful? Chicago thinks it is. Especially after an Obama aide fell off a Chicago curb a few weeks ago while using her Blackberry.
Multitasking is the way of the world, and consuming and interacting with media on the go is life. I like it and have no problem with it.
But, some officials to our south, including Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, are supporting a bill that would ban using a wireless device while crossing streets. Here's more from a Chicago Tribune post: "The Illinois General Assembly bill, also known as HB 4520, was introduced in January by Rep. Ken Dunkin (D- Chicago), who then insisted: "This legislation is not laughable. On the surface it's like, 'Oh wow, what is this?' But it's becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves."
Fines for a text and walk would be $25.
Thoughts on this? I'd love to hear them, because you know it's not long until similar legislation makes its way up I-94 to Milwaukee. Use the Talkback feature.
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mke5990 | Aug. 1, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (report)
So i read and walk...would i get a fine? Can you also get an additional fine for drunk texting or drunk reading while walking? Or do they just take your phone away? It just sounds so ridiculous.
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mitchgat | July 31, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (report)
It's sad that common sense and personal accountability have died such violent deaths. At least it was quick.
The question I continue to have is: why is there such a need to use a darn phone??? Are people that needy that they can't go minutes without texting or talking? The fact that they are even considering a fine for this details how unbelievably ridiculous laws have become... sad! There's already a consequence for not paying attention while walking: you potentially could get hit by a car, or bus or truck. If being hit by a big moving vehicle doesn't deter idiots from not watching what they're doing, a fine is a joke. Chicago: WORK WITH ME PEOPLE!!!! :-)
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diesel1976 | July 31, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (report)
How do they plan to enforce this?? What a waste of police manpower. Its jus another way to for the city to get money.
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mkelover | July 30, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (report)
On my commute I see several erratic drivers and a majority of them are either eating, drinking coffee, putting on their makeup, or shaving. Can we ban those too so that they don't slam into me while not paying attention in rush hour?
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alba | July 30, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (report)
Texting while driving is a big problem we are going to see laws against this everywhere soon. On daily my commute to and from Waukesha each day I see MANY people texting in the cars while driving. There is no way you can read and type on your phone while paying attention to your driving. Whenever I see someone driving erratically there is a 95% chance they are talking on a phone or texting.
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