Cell phone bans to extend to pedestrians? [View All]

[The Straight Story]

Bill extends electronic device ban to pedestrians and bicyclists

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - There is a ban to prevent distracted driving on Oahu, but now distracted pedestrians could also face fines. A bill introduced at the city council on Wednesday would make it illegal to hold a cell phone or other mobile electronic device when crossing a street or highway. Emergency responders would be exempt from the ban. Bill 43 extends the city's ordinance affecting drivers and mobile electronic devices. City councilmember Ann Kobayashi introduced the measure to curb distracted pedestrians and bicyclists.

"By the definitions that are in the ordinance itself, that would mean that if you're holding the device and crossing the street, whether it be a laptop computer a Kindle, an iPad or cellular phone, you would be in violation of this law," said Maj. Kurt Kendro of the Honolulu Police Department.

Five pedestrians have been killed on Oahu's roadways this year. Kendro spoke out against the measure and said it could water down the existing ban for drivers. Police officers issued 2,371 mobile electronic device citations in 2010. They've given out 2,679 so far this year.

"We think it's a little bit overbroad and not needed. There are sections in existing law about pedestrians' rights and duties when crossing the street," Kendro said.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14630079/new-bill-extends-electronic-device-ban-to-pedestrians-and-bicyclists