Lawmaker wants ban on texting while walking
A "distracted walking" proposal introduced by US Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt would ban texting while walking in New Jersey, US.
Ms Lampitt said: "An individual crossing the road distracted by their phone presents just as much danger to motorists as a jaywalker and should be held to the same penalty."
If the bill becomes law, walking while texting in New Jersey could soon get you slapped with a US$50 (S$69) ticket or 15 days in jail.
Ms Lampitt cited a National Safety Council report that shows that distracted-walking incidents involving mobile phones accounted for about 11,101 injuries from 2000 through 2011.
Experts noted that pedestrian deaths have been rising.
Eleven per cent of all fatalities in 2005 involved pedestrians. That number rose to 15 per cent in 2014, ABC news reported.
Similar bills have failed in states such as Illinois and New York.
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