To Curb Phone Zombies, Would You Support A Distracted Walking Ban? Block Talk

“Is there any reason in the world why anyone needs to be reading, writing, or texting on their phones (wearing ear buds) while crossing a street, never once looking up to check for cars?” a Patch reader wondered in a recent email.

“It speaks volumes of being so self-absorbed and entitled that they choose reading or writing that ‘critically important’ text that can’t wait 30 seconds or less over their own safety and that of drivers.”

The reader raises an important issue: “Distracted walking.”

Experts say responding to or sending text messages, talking on cellphones, or listening to music with headphones while crossing busy streets causes a loss of situational awareness that is similar to that of distracted driving, and the result can be deadly.

So, we’re asking for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column, what can be done to control distracted walking and make streets safer for both pedestrians and motorists where you live. Our survey is found at the bottom of this story, but first, read on for background on efforts to curb distracted walking.

Despite Attempts, No State Laws

The problem has become so pervasive that laws prohibiting pedestrians from using their cellphones while crossing streets have been proposed and, in some cases, implemented in multiple jurisdictions.

Distracted walking legislation proposed but not passed in New Jersey in 2016 would’ve treated using a cellphone while crossing the street on par with jaywalking, making it an offense subject to a $50 fine and/or 15 days in jail, Patch previously reported.

Connecticut lawmakers failed to pass a similar bill in 2019, also according to Patch. The sponsor said it was “really about trying to protect people who should be aware when they are putting themselves in front of a two or three-ton vehicle barreling toward them at a crosswalk. If they are not paying attention, they will lose that battle.”

A distracted walking bill in New York also failed in 2019. The proposal was intended to protect both pedestrians and motorists “from serious and even fatal consequences due to distraction while using a mobile device,” Patch reported at the time.

Statewide bans were also turned down in Arkansas and Nevada.

Honolulu, Some Towns Have Laws

Honolulu became the first major U.S. city to implement such a law in 2017, citing a high rate of pedestrians being hit in crosswalks. Fines start at $15, and repeat offenders could pay as much as $99.

Laws are in effect in smaller towns and cities as well. Fort Lee, a borough of about 40,000 in Bergen County, New Jersey, passed a ban on “dangerous walking” in 2012 after three fatal pedestrian-involved accidents.

Montclair, California, passed a law in 2018 prohibiting pedestrians from crossing the street while looking at any electronic device or listening to music with both ears covered. Rexburg, Idaho, also prohibits texting while crossing the street.

To reduce distracted walking, some European cities are installing illuminated strips within crosswalks at busy intersections. These strips are designed to change colors in sync with traffic lights, providing a visual cue for pedestrians who are looking down at their phones, indicating when it is safe to cross.

Take The Survey

Now, here’s Block Talk’s informal survey. As always, we don’t collect email addresses.

About Block Talk

Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line.

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