Texting or walking on a mobile phone could become illegal in the state of New Jersey based on a new bill proposal. Pedestrians caught breaking the new law could receive a $50 fine or 15 days in prison. Offenders would include people walking on sidewalks and roadways who use cellphones not equipped with a hands-free device.
The bill was proposed during this week by Assemblywoman R. Lampitt (D). It would cause "petextrians" to be hit with the same penalties as jaywalkers in the Garden State, according to Philly.
Lampitt revealed on Friday that she sees people texting and walking every day. She explained that if the law is passed pedestrians might think twice about using their mobile device to send a text message or make a call.
It is unclear whether or not the proposed bill will be passed in the NJ state legislature, but Lampitt would be pleased if it raises public awareness. Similar bills have recently failed in New York, Arkansas, and Nevada.
A 2015 report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association showed a rise in pedestrian fatalities and stated that texting while walking was in part responsible.
The report also revealed that pedestrian deaths have risen 15 percent since 2009 to about 4,700 cases in 2013. In addition, almost 2 million pedestrian injuries were linked to cellphone use.
Experts reveal that distracted walkers are more likely to fail to look both ways before they cross the street, and ignore traffic lights around them.
Last year Philadelphia launched a campaign that asked pedestrians to pick up their heads and put down their phones. The goal was to battle the dangers of distracted walking.
In related news a study published last month shows the big role cellphones have in car crashes, according to U.S. News & World Report. It showed that video captured inside cars revealed that drivers were distracted seconds before a crash happened in over two-thirds of accidents.
Many of the car crashes were linked to mobile phones. Researchers also learned that the risk of crashes spiked when people were emotional such as feeling angry, sad, or upset.
Here are the dangers of texting and walking: