Jared Schumacher is among the
hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who routinely use electronic devices to
text, listen to music or do other tasks as they walk outdoors.
But if a “distracted walking”
measure recently proposed by a state assemblywoman eventually becomes law, Jared
and others like him could be facing fines or even jail time.
“I admit that I’m usually listening
to music, talking on my phone or texting while I’m walking around,” the
20-year-old said while responding to a text as he walked along a street in the
state capital last weekend. “I’ve never hurt myself, but I’ve seen people walk
into poles or trip over a big crack in the sidewalk.”
Experts say distracted walking is a
growing problem around the globe, as people of all ages become more dependent
on electronic devices for personal and professional matters.
They also note that pedestrian
deaths involving motor vehicle crashes have been rising in recent years. Eleven
percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2005 involved pedestrians, but
that number rose to 15 percent in 2014.
“Thus far, no states have enacted a law
specifically targeting distracted bicyclists or pedestrians,” said Douglas
Shinkle, transportation program director for the National Conference of State
Legislatures. But he added that “a few states continue to introduce legislation
every year.”
The measure recently introduced by
New Jersey Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt would ban walking while texting and bar
pedestrians on public roads from using electronic communication devices unless
they are hands-free. If it is approved, violators will face fines of up to $50,
15 days imprisonment or both, which is the same penalty as jaywalking.
Half of the fine will be allocated
to safety education about the dangers of walking and texting, Lampitt, a
Democrat, said.
Some see the proposal as an
unnecessary government overreach, while others say they understand Lampitt’s
reasoning. But most agree that people need to be made aware of the issue rather
than taking for granted that nothing bad will happen to them.
“Distracted pedestrians, like
distracted drivers, present a potential danger to themselves and drivers on the
road,” Lampitt said. “An individual crossing the road distracted by their
smartphone presents just as much danger to motorists as someone jaywalking and
should be held, at minimum, to the same penalty.”
The main question raised about the
measure, though, is whether it can be enforced consistently by police officers
who usually have more pressing matters to deal with. Schumacher is among those
who feel that rather than imposing a new law, the state should focus on
distracted walking education.
A National Safety Council report
that shows distracted walking incidents involving cellphones accounted for an
estimated 11,101 injuries from 2000 through 2011. The study found a majority of
those injured were female and most were 40 or younger. Talking on the phone was
the most prevalent activity at the time of injury, while texting accounted for
12 percent. Nearly 80 percent of the injuries occurred as the result of a fall,
while nine percent occurred from the pedestrian striking a motionless object.
The most common injury types
included dislocations or fractures, sprains or strains and concussions or
contusions.
