No iPod While Walking!
02.07.07 - 03:46pm
Can you imagine - “Sir, you crossed the street with your iPod and earbuds in, that will be a $100 fine or you can take it up in court.” says the policeman handing you the ticket.
That’s exactly what New York State Sen. Carl Kruger wants and he has introduced legislation to ban, not only the use of iPods, but Blackberry’s, cell phones, smart phones, gaming devices, - pretty much anything on New York city streets.
“Government has an obligation to protect its citizenry,” Kruger said in a telephone interview from Albany, the state capital. “This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it’s becoming not only endemic but it’s creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand.”
Kruger started the legislation following the deaths of three pedestrians in his Brooklyn district, killed after stepping into traffic while distracted by an electronic device. In one case bystanders screamed “watch out” to no avail.
This phenomenom of “iPod oblivion”, as Kruger puts is, must come to an end. “Tuning in and tuning out can be a fatal combination on the streets of New York.”
Doesn’t this seems to be taking things just a little far. Accidents happen every day and distractions abound. People often get lost in their own thoughts without having an iPod or talking on the phone. What would be next - no talking to your friend, cause you might get distracted? Can you imagine utter quiet on the streets of NY as policeman stand on every street corner - all for the “safety” of the people.
We all hope that we make it to and from work safely and that we make it safely through our day - but keeping all our hi-tech equipment off the streets is not the answer - Perhaps making an awareness of the issue with signs, ads depicting the problem, and talking about it would be a better choice.
Then again, while the legislation is unlikely to pass, Krueger has achieved a worldwide awareness of the problem. While anyone reading this story may balk at the idea of such a law, I guarantee you we will all take an extra look for traffic when we cross the street while listening to our iPod, or talking on the phone. Perhaps, that simple awareness will save a few lives.
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