New York might make it illegal to text while walking - Joziah German

In New York City, pedestrians could be fined for looking down at their phones while crossing the road. Especially in a busy city, crossing the street in Manhattan is challenging at all hours of the day. Now it could be illegal to look at a mobile device. A bill in the NY state Senate seeks to ban the use of devices crossing the street with fines ranging from $25 to $250 dollars.  The only exception would be for emergencies on this statewide ban. The bill was first introduced a year ago, but last week, State senator John Liu developed a new push for getting this issue forward. He wants New Yorkers to know its O.K. to wait the five seconds. There have been some doubts by the transportation committees, which might stall its ability to become a full vote. Some think this is an overreach of the government. Honolulu has passed a similar law in 2017, sparking some of New York passion to have this bill passed. Also, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes has gotten above 6,000 people. Most of these fatalities occur after dark with alcohol consumption. Although not official, the bill to ban cell phone usage on crossways of streets is making its way through New York State's government.

This article published by Augusta Anthony, CNN, was created just a week after New York began to question it's wanting of this bill. I had no prior knowledge about the ability to charge pedestrians for looking at their technology while crossing streets. I personally think that this bill is way far, especially with the world we have created embedded with technology. Mention, most of the casualties described from traffic crashes was at night with alcohol consumption, not the cellphones doing the damage. This article brings me back to the law that is making its way nationwide, obligating states to comply. No texting while driving is a fairly new law, but its making progress with its backing of data. Most of all car crashes on the road are in the result of someone being distracted on their phones. Both the new bill and this law have to do with the use of cell phones and people being distracted by them. I think that if this New York bill gains traction, it could become a law that is spread nationwide. This article was written for mostly New York residents who are now learning that they can't be on their phones crossing streets. This article, I think, was created to let citizens know of this new bill being processed in their states government. There is importants with this article because the new bill could help save many lives from being taken by distraction others. I am not sure which way this bill could go, but I am hoping that whatever the assembly decides, its in the best of the New York people.

 https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/20/us/new-york-walking-while-texting-trnd/index.html