CA City Bans Cellphone Use While Crossing Streets

MONTCLAIR, CA -- A California city recently made it illegal for pedestrians to use their cellphones while crossing an intersection. Montclair, a city about 33 miles away from Los Angeles, banned the activity at the start of the year.

The reasoning behind the unusual law? Using your cellphones is just as distracting for pedestrians as it is for drivers. In California, it's illegal to use your cellphone while driving.

"Like drivers, pedestrians have always been engaged in multi-tasking behavior such as the use of handheld phones, music listening devices, and other electronic devices," wrote city staff in a notice to the public. "The effects of such behavior can relate to that of a distracted driver. Distracted drivers differ from distracted pedestrians in the fact that distracted driving has policies and interventions in place to improve safety, where such safety measures are not in effect for pedestrians."

The city, which is home to about 36,000 people, said "Pedestrians now account for 15 percent of all vehicle-related fatalities and when compared, 2016 experienced a 22 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2014. An estimated 30 percent of pedestrians engage in distracting activities while crossing the street, which include text messaging, phone calls, listening to music, etc."

With that information in mind, city leaders made it illegal to cross an intersection while engaged on a cellphone, while viewing a mobile electronic device, and with both ears covered or obstructed by personal audio equipment.

Anyone caught violating the law will be fined $100 for the first violation, up to $200 for the second violation (if it's within 12 months) and up to $500 for every violation after (if it's within 12 months).

--Photo via city of Montclair